Wednesday Journal 090623

of Oak Park and River Forest

it ain’t so, George

STORY BY STACEY SHERIDAN, PAGE 8

Special section

Dominican extends reach with new Pilsen campus

Dreamer scholarship helps undocumented students

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Expanding its reach into Pilsen, Dominican University in River Forest announced plans for a new campus to help bridge equity gaps as a Hispanic serving institution while using the city of Chicago as a learning ground for students.

T he private Roman Catholic university, which has been a Hispanic serving institution since 2011, announced the project in August. It is working in partnership with T he Resur rection Project (TRP), which is dedicated to providing af fordable housing, financial education, and immigration services to the Pilsen neighborhood

The university will occupy Resur rection’s La Casa Residence Hall, 1805 S. Paulina St., Chicago, and the neighboring Resource Center, 1815 S. Paulina St., to create a place for a variety of programs as well as oncampus housing for students.

To register for your free screening mammogram, call (708) 660-6268.

Do you live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township and need to schedule a mammogram?

During the month of October, women who live in these communities can receive a screening mammogram for no cost at Rush Oak Park Hospital.*

Now, there’s no reason not to have one.

Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women — and mammography is the most effective screening tool. Experts at Rush recommend that most women have mammograms every year beginning at age 40.

Do you qualify?

• To qualify, you must not have insurance coverage.

• You must live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township. Proof of residence will be requested at the time of your visit (e.g., voter registration card, utility bill or personal check).

• Your mammogram must be performed by Oct. 31, 2023.

Digital mammography saves lives.

• We offer the latest technology in breast screening, including 3D mammography (also known as breast tomosynthesis), breast MRI, and hand-held and automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) screening for dense breasts.

Takeout 25 launches ‘green dining hub’ initiative at Barrie Fest

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

The summer fun doesn’t have to end after Labor Day – at least not in southeast Oak Park. Barrie Fest returns Saturday, Sept. 9, so don’t miss out on all the fun, live music and food the festival has to offer.

Held annually on the second Saturday of September, this year marks 20 years of Barrie Fest and it’s sure to be a big one. Head over to Barrie Park, 1011 S. Lombard Ave., between noon and p.m. to join in the festivities. Admission is free.

As it has for the last two years, the festival’s organize East Oak Park Community Organization, is partnering with local non-profit Takeout 25 to tendees fed. Eight local restaurants af filiated with Takeout 25 have for this year’s Barrie. Buy in advance online at https://tinyu om/22z38x3z.

“We have restaurants literally ing there at the fest and that w old-school Taste of Chicago ent,” said Cory Wesley, SEOPCO co president and Oak Park village trustee Takeout 25 is using the an opportunity to officially launch the western suburbs as the state’s firs green dining hub. The voluntary initiative helps local rants alter operations to become more sustainable. So restaurants have joined in. The non-profit’s community ambassadors will be at the event engaging with attendees on the importance of dining sustainably.

“We are encouraging people to come out and just have a conversation about green dining to raise awareness,” said Ravi Parakkat, Takeout 25 founder and Oak Park village trustee.

The yearly festival celebrates the anniversary of the reopening of Barrie Park to the public The park closed in early 1999, following the discovery of poisonous coal-tar con-

School of Rock Show Team band per forms hit songs from various genres dur ing the 2022 Barrie Fest at Barrie Park.

taminants – residual waste left from the manufactured gas plant that operated on the site between 1893 and 1931. After a lengthy and enormously disruptive environmental remediation process, the park finally reopened in 2005. The first Barrie Fest was actually held the year before in a sort of pre-celebration.

Since then, the festival has evolved to become more of a

celebration of the neighborhood. SEOPCO treasurer, Jim Peterson, believes many newer families in the area are likely unaware of the park’s history and the festival’s origins.

“I think a lot of people that live around here maybe don’t even know the park was closed and certainly don’t know the issues around it being closed, but there’s still a really strong neighborhood feel here,” Peterson said.

Brad Knaub from Carnivore in Oak Park grilling a burger

ion, food and desserts at Barrie Fest last year.

RAVI PARAKK AT FILE

How to Garden Fearlessly With Native Plants

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2 - 4 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y, Maze Branch er how growing native plants can help mitigate climate change and prevent biodiversity loss. ome more familiar with Climate Ready Oak Park’s 30x30 biodiversity objectives. This event o ers tips on how to right-size your pollinator garden and other tips and tricks for good garden management and enhancements that you can put to use right away. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

The Sweetest New Year: Rosh Hashanah Celebration

BIG WEEK

September 6-13

Oak Park Oktobe rfest

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2 - 10 p.m., Ascension Catholic Church

The summerfest season isn’t over yet. This outdoor celebration features German food, free kids activities, a 5 p.m. mass, a beer tent, plus live music from Major Climb, Dig Engine ’n. 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park.

Poetry of Walt Whitman

Saturday, Sept. 9, 12:30 - 2 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y, Main Library Walt Whitman is considered America’s world poet, in the same vein as Emily Dickinson, another 19th- centur y bard. This is the rst of recurring discussions regarding Whitman’s work. Previous knowledge of Whitman’s poetry is not necessary, but helpful as we deep dive into Whitman’s poetic compositions and writing style. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Oak Park Porch Fest

BarrieFest 2023

DIY Stor ytelling Dice

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4 - 5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y, Main Library Straight from the intersection where crafting, gaming and storytelling meet. Stor y Dice are six-sided dice with a word or picture on each side. When you roll your dice together, you can use the words and pictures to inspire a story. By the end of this program, you’ll have your own set of 5 story dice to take home. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Sinatra Forever: A Frank Sinatra Tribute

Sunday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s Rick Michel croons songs made famous by the man once known as the Chairman of the Board. $20, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Saturday, Sept. 9, 12 - 5 p.m., Barrie Park

A neighborhood celebration featuring music, activities (including a climbing wall), community updates, and food. This year, Takeout 25 is launching our community as Illinois’ rst Green Dining Hub at BarrieFest. We will proudly showcase 8 local food establishments that truly represent our community’s diversity and taste. Our partners Clean Up Give Back and their OPRF High school volunteers will help manage the event sustainably. While BarrieFest is free to attend, food options will be available with tickets: www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/BarrieFest2023. 1011 S Lombard Ave., Oak Park.

Listing your event in the calendar

Wednesday Jour nal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest community groups and businesses are planning. We’ ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon

Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Friday, Sept. 8, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., private home Live performance featuring three bands: North Grove, Half Krausened, and Lock Robster. Bring your own chairs or blanket. Tacos Bernardos will also be on the scene. Free event, with tip jar. 701 S.

Women In Business Meeting

Friday, Sept. 8, 9 - 10:30 a.m., The Sheridan At River Forest Susie Goldschmidt, Denise Warren and Judette Kurasz from Byline Bank will do a presentation on fraud prevention. Free to Chamber of Commerce members, $20 for non-members. 800 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest.

OPRF moves up to 34th in magazine’s state ranking

Best categor y was state-mandated tests weakest on graduation rate

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

U.S. News & World Re port, a national news magazine that conducts annual rankings of high schools, has ranked Oak Park and River Forest High School as the 34th best public high school in the state of Illinois.

OPRF jumped five spots this year in the U.S. News rankings. It was ranked 39th last year. U.S. News ranked OPRF as the 907th best public high school in the nation. This year the first five spots in the state rankings were, as usual, taken by enrollment Chicago Public High Schools Payton College Prep was ranked as the top public high school in the state. Elev schools ranked higher than OPRF are selec tive enrollment, otherwise known as magnet, high schools.

Stevenson High School, which was sixth, was the highest ranked nonselecti enrollment high school. OPRF ranked behind schools such as Hinsdale Central (10th), New Trier (14th), Glenbrook South (16th), Glenbrook North (20th), Westmont (24th), and Glenbard West (29th).

OPRF was ranked ahead of rivals York (36th) and Township High School (41st). OPRF also was ranked slightly ahead of Evanston To High School, a school to they are often compared, was ranked 38th in the state U.S. News.

“While it’s gratifying OPRF in the top 5% of high schools, and the top 3% nationally, our goal is continuous improvement, regardless of we’re ranked,” said Superintendent Greg Johnson.

“We’re focused on always getting better at providing an equitably excellent education-

al experience for every student, every day,” U.S. News uses six factors to rank high schools: college readiness (30%), state assessment proficiency (20%), state assessment performance college curriculum breadth (10%), underserved student performance (10%) and aduation rate (10%).

he state test data analyzed by S. News comes from the 202122 school year since the Illinois n’t be publicly released until this fall.

OPRF did best in the state assessment proficiency category, measuring how students did in state-mandated tests, ranking 23rd in the state in that category. OPRF was ranked 32nd in state assessment performance,

which measures performance on state-mandated tests while adjusting for the number of students who are Black, Hispanic or from low-income households.

OPRF ranked 50th in the state on U.S. News’ College Curriculum Breadth Index and 52nd in College Readiness, measures that are based on the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes and their performance on AP exams

OPRF’s worst category was graduation rate. Its 95% graduation rate ranked tied for 145th in the state, according the U.S. News

“We know that attendance is incredibly important for student success and over the past two years we have worked deliberately to help get our students in school as much as possible so that they can benefit from the excellent education that we’re able to offer here,” Johnson said.

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Grab a co ee and chill with Kelley Kitley on NBC5

Kitley, of Oak Park, o ers mental wellness tips on Wednesday mornings

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Tune in to NBC5 Wednesday mor nings and you might see a familiar face. Oak Park resident Kelley Kitley is no a weekly contributor, educating viewers on the significance of mental wellness in living a healthy, balanced life

Every Wednesday at 6:45 a.m., Kitley goes on air to gi professional tips and share exercises for working through anxiety, stress and more. She’s been doing the se gment since April, but the contents of what she shares changes each week. Lately, Kitley’s focus has been on end of summer stressors.

“The last couple of se gments have been about back school and managing the stress and anxiety – and how parents can set the tone and be a role model for their kids,” she told Wednesday Jour nal.

Kitley, who is not an employee of NBC Chicago, brings a level of practical experience, as well as professional training, to her two-and-a-half-minute se gment. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a co gnitive behavioral therapist, plus a mom to four children, ranging in age from 11 to 17. Kitley documented her own mental health jour ney in her autobio graphy “MY self.”

In her se gments, Kitley maintains a level of creative control over what she covers week to week. She often chooses her topics based on what is happening in the news cycle or the time of year. And while she said NBC 5 “really likes to focus on kids,” she wants viewers to know that all of what her teachings are applicable to people of all ages, even if a par ticular se gment appears tailored for parents.

“During the pandemic and in the post-pandemic time period that we’re in now, mental wellness issues have increased and it’s af fecting people of all ages We have a responsibility to be there for our viewers and to deliver impor tant tips and infor mation to them from exper ts like Kelley,” said Sally Ramire z, senior vice president of news at NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago.

It’s Kitley’s goal to provide viewers better ways of dealing with life’s more unpleasant feelings. Kitley often presents those better ways in the form of little tweaks easily implemented

“We can’t ask people to fit more into their already busy

schedules, otherwise that feels overwhelming and defeating if people can’t follow through on it,” she said.

For example, to disconnect from the anxiety-inducing hustle and bustle of life, Kitley recommended taking small moments throughout the day to focus on yourself. Instead of drinking coffee while checking your email or scrolling through your phone, try simply drinking coffee without any distractions. Your unread messages will still be there after.

This philosophy works for lunch breaks too Kitley wants people to be present in the moment while being mindful of the food you’ re consuming. No more working through lunch.

“We’ re constantly multitasking, which makes us feel more anxious and de pressed,” she said.

She also recommended focusing on your breath because breathing can do more for the body than circulating oxyg en. Focused breathing serves as a calming, centering practice if done properly, she said. When the body is stressed, individuals inhale shallow breaths into their chests, rather than deep, nourishing breaths that fill the diaphragm. Sometimes people actually hold their breath while experiencing anxiety.

Inef ficient breathing happens in both adults and children. The latter may be feeling nervous about retur ning

to school after the long summer break, for example. Kitley has a tip for fixing that which can be done as needed throughout the day.

“Maybe you’ re not going to be breathing deeply at your desk but go into the bathroom and take a couple of dee p breaths,” she said. “That can be a reset.”

She also said she believes it’s helpful to imagine yourself breathing in positive energy and exhaling ne gative thoughts

Kitley doesn’t get paid for her weekly contributions to the Wednesday mor ning newscasts. She’s just grateful to the NBC 5 network for giving her a re gular platform to educate others.

It appears her se gment is already having an impact.

“The feedback we’ve received from our staf f and viewers has been very positive. It’s relatable content and deepens our connection with our viewers,” Ramire z said.

“We wanted to put a bigger spotlight on health & wellness as a whole in our newscasts,” she added. “Simply put, everyone is connected to it and it was impor tant to us to put the time and resources behind it. Mental health awareness se gments on Wednesdays are a very impor tant piece of our overall focus.”

You can also view her segments on her YouTube channel, @Kelleykitley, each week.

SCREENSHOT

Kelley Kitley

WAR ON DRUGS

My mother’s father, Edward McGrath, was known to us kids as Grandpa McGrath. When I was young, he and my Grandma McGrath lived on the third floor in a multi-unit building on Sacramento Ave. near Marquette Park in Chicago. On visits to their apartment, several rituals were always honored. Grandpa McGrath lined up all the grandchildren by age and handed out coins whose value depended on our ages. Grandma McGrath made our family’s favorite dinners, including her delectable banana cream pie. After dinner, we all played round after round of cards, usually poker.

My grandparents really enjoyed my grandma’s pies and ate them often. Unfortunately for Grandpa McGrath, this enjoyment likely brought on his type 2 diabetes. He treated that disease with shots of insulin that he administered to himself. Grandpa McGrath was usually not one for formality or appearances. Heck, this is a man who identified people depicted in photographs by writing their names right on their foreheads!

So, it was no surprise that my Grandpa McGrath administered his insulin right in front of me. I was about six years old at the time and this “medical procedure” fascinated me. Unlike other areas in his life, Grandpa McGrath was careful and precise when giving himself these shots. He carefully dispensed the correct amount of insulin into the syringe and then gently shot the medicine into his stomach.

When Grandpa McGrath finished using the syringe, he broke the needle in half and threw the parts away in two separate trash bags. He said he broke the needles to prevent drug addicts from finding the needles in

the alley garbage and using them to shoot up street drugs. Grandpa fashioned himself as the neighborhood drug czar. Insulin was not the only medicine that my grandparents required. Both grandparents needed several prescription drugs and visited the doctor’s office often. However, I never remember them complaining about the high cost of health care. Unfortunately, today many seniors feel differently. High healthcare costs are a major topic of conversation for seniors and many other Americans. Have healthcare costs changed a great deal since the 1970s or was I just unaware of those conversations as a child? If costs have changed, why?

In 1960 national health care expenditure totaled $27.2 billion. In 2020, these costs grew to $4.1 trillion. Now health care is one of our country’s largest expenses. An annual health care cost of $12,530 per person in 2020 was roughly $150 per person in 1960. Unfortunately, despite all that spending, life expectancy in the U.S is shorter than in our peer countries. And many Americans struggle to pay for health care.

There are many reasons for this uptick in costs. Wider use of Medicaid, Medicare, and healthcare insurance have increased the demand for healthcare. Thus, higher demand is followed by higher prices. Unlike other countries, the U.S. government has not set limits on payments for new treatments. One study found that Americans use the same amount of healthcare as residents of other

nations. We just pay more for them.

The health care system has gotten more complicated. Studies have found that administration makes up about 15% to 30% of U.S. healthcare costs. Also, insurance companies and hospitals have become more consolidated and more powerful. Thus, raising insurance premiums.

Sadly, Americans typically pay almost twice as much for pharmaceutical drugs as people in other industrialized countries. Until January 1, 2023, when government legislation capped the price of a vial of insulin, what my Grandpa McGrath paid $9 for in 1972 increased to an all-time high of $107 in 2018. Today, thanks to a new law, that cost is back down to $38 a vial.

Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, are another reason for high healthcare costs. These illnesses are expensive and difficult to treat. There is some hope for chronic care costs. Chronic care management programs are on the rise. These programs help to address the ongoing care needs of chronic care patients and lower total care costs. Plus, there is an increased awareness that changes in one’s lifestyle and diet may work to improve health, reduce the need for expensive treatment, and stop driving up the nation’s health care costs.

The more we Americans are educated about our healthcare and its complexities, the better choices we can make for ourselves and our families. Similarly, the more education we receive about estate planning, the better we will be in setting things up correctly for ourselves and our families.

THERESA CLANCY Estate Planning Attorney

George never let the kids down

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

The Park District of Oak Park has lost one of its most beloved — and colorful — residents. George, the double yellowheaded Amazon parrot, died on Aug. 26.

The golden boy of the Oak Park Conservatory spent much of his very long life chatting and showboating for visitors and staff. And his presence is already missed

“It’s definitely more quiet,” said Patti Staley, the conservatory’s director of horticulture and operations.

George was a geriatric parrot when he died, but his exact age is unknown. He was donated as an adult bird to the conservatory sometime in the early ’90s, before Staley worked there. Double yellow-headed amazon parrots live quite a long time, with a life span of up to 70 years.

George may have been closer to 80 years old at the time of his death. He was considered one of, if not the, oldest of his species living in the Chicago area by his avian veterinarian Scott McDonald, who cared for the bird over many years.

With his beautiful green and yellow plumage, touched with red at his shoulders and blue at the tip of his wings, George was an eager conversationalist. He said “hello” to conservatory staff members individually each morning, customizing

the tone of his greeting for each individual.

Now endangered in the wild, yellow-headed Amazon parrots are native to Mexico, Central and South America. George spent his years at the conservatory in the tropical room, shared by the other two, much younger, resident parrots, Skipper and Sarah, another yellow-headed Amazon and an African grey

Parrots are known to grieve the loss of a companion, but Skipper and Sarah have yet to show any signs of stress. Staley noted the two birds have been a bit quieter, even though Sarah is still “showboating” for guests. Staley’s not sure if they’ve quite grasped that George won’t be coming back.

Conservatory visitors are certainly noticing. During a visit last Wednesday, one woman asked where George was but was overcome with emotion by the answer.

“She was in tears and upset,” Staley recalled

The woman wasn’t one of the conservatory’s regular patrons. She’d only started visiting the conservatory during the past year, but Staley learned the woman had started walking there every day to see the birds.

“We like to think that people come here to see the plants and the flowers, but it’s really the birds that are the stars of the show,” Staley said.

Especially George Birds of his species are as much known

Mural on South Blvd. by artist Alonna Dray. George is bottom right.

for their love of the spotlight as they are for their chattiness. The birds possess a high level of intelligence, making them capable of cultivating large vocabularies, and are prone to bursting out into song.

And George was no different. Gregarious and gorgeous, he loved attention and when he felt he wasn’t getting enough, he made it known. A true entertainer, he required visitors of the tropical room to visit him upon entering. If they didn’t, they were sure to get an earful.

“He’d call out, ‘Ello!’” Staley said. “Then he’d get louder and just elaborate it to bring you to him because he wanted to have a conversation with you.”

George especially loved having children visit, but he maintained cordial connections with his conservatory colleagues. Like Skipper and Sarah, George would hang out with volunteers and employees before opening, which Staley said is one of the special things about working in the conservatory.

“Oftentimes I’ll walk into my office and there’ll be a bird sitting there on the back of the chair,” she said. “Or they’ll be flying around the lobby.”

George lives on in the mural on South Boulevard near Oak Park Avenue, where he’s featured alongside his for mer conservatory

neighbors, Skipper and Sarah. The mural was painted by for mer park district employee and Oak Park resident Alonna Dray through the Oak Park Area Arts Council.

Throughout his time in Oak Park, George served as the muse of many artists and photographers, professionals and hobbyists alike, according to Staley, and the team at the conservatory would love to see the results

The conservatory is inviting everyone to share their pictures, memories and drawings of George Visitors can place the mementos inside George’s home at the conservatory or email them to oakparkconservatory@pdop. org. In honor of George, the conservatory plans to share pictures, cards and memories of the beloved parrot on the conservatory’s Instagram account, @OakParkConservatory. George was cremated upon his death and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. Staley is currently working out the details with George’s longtime caretaker, Chris Denne, to decide the best spot for George’s remains. Denne, who spends six days a week attending to the conservatory’s birds, was unavailable to be interviewed, but he passed on a message through Staley

“Chris said, ‘Just make sure people know George was the star of the show and he never let the kids down.’”

MAKE EVERY VOTE COUNT !

More candidates on the ballot = more choices for voters! Free, Oak Park Library September 19th, 6:30 pm WeConnect essential news. essential voices.

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Chicagoland’s Fastest and Most Affordable Laundry Service Rolls into the Oak Park & River Forest

CD One Price Cleaners has been a staple in Oak Park since it opened its doors on North Avenue to become the chain’s ninth location in 2004. Since that time, the company’s low prices and fast turnaround have fueled its growth to nearly 40 locations. Now, the brand is taking its focus on convenience one step further by offering laundry and dry cleaning pickup and delivery to Oak Park and River Forest residents.

Tom Ryan, a long time Oak Park resident, has served as CD One’s VP of Development for over 15 years and told the Wednesday Journal that “I’ve always thought that many Oak Park residents like to visit the store personally, but that there are many others who would appreciate the convenience of a dry cleaning and laundry pickup and delivery service.”

Aside from the convenience of pickup and delivery, the Wednesday Journal was

surprised by their affordable rates. CD One Dry Clean Delivery charges just $5.99 to have any garment dry cleaned, a huge savings vs traditional cleaners. Laundered and Pressed shirts and blouses are $2.99 and any size blanket or comforter is $29.99.

Laundry subscriptions are also a large portion of the CD One Price Cleaners delivery business, with programs starting at less than $19/week for twice monthly service or $28/week for every week service allowing customers to simply stuff their assigned and bar-coded bag with as much wash and fold laundry, including clothing, sheets, and towels, as they can fit.

Mr. Ryan explained to us that one of the ways that CD One Price Cleaners is able to offer such low prices to customers is

due to the design of its pickup and delivery routes. Ryan said “we pick-up in Oak Park & River Forest every Thursday and bring back the clean wash and fold laundry and dry clean garments the very next day.” By visiting each neighborhood once a week, rather than every day, the company is able to be extremely efficient and then pass that value forward to their customers in the form of lower prices than other competitors.

“We’re prepared to service single family homes, apartment buildings and all of the new condo buildings throughout the village,” Ryan said. “As an individually owned small business with deep roots along North Avenue, we look forward to extending our reach to all parts of Oak Park and River Forest.”

CD One Dry Clean Delivery is extending the following special offers to Wednesday Journal readers: $20 off the first month of the weekly laundry subscription with promo code LAUNDRY or $10 off + waived service fees on any first one-time order with promo code VALUE.

Downtown hotel project gets OK for internal demolition

Long-awaited Holiday Inn Express coming to Downtown Oak Park

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Long stuck on a COVID-19 back bur ner, plans to convert a Lake Street retail and office building into a Holiday Inn Express are moving forward with a village-issued OK to begin internal demolition. The exact scale of the proposed project may still be in flux, however.

Downtown Oak Park’s Holiday Inn Express spent a lot of time simmering on that back bur ner, but the project is beginning to move forward. The Village of Oak Park has issued the internal demolition permit necessary to re purpose 1140 Lake St. from a retail and office building into a limited-service hotel. That work has not quite started.

“The client is choosing his contractor

to do the demo. Once he finalizes that, the demo will start, so it’s pretty soon though,” said project architect Jolly Thulaseedas of KP+J Architects and Engineers.

The building’s owners, brothers Azeem and Salim Hemani, won village board approval back in November 2019 to convert their downtown Oak Park property into the village’s first Holiday Inn Express location. The pandemic hit a few months later, however, which delayed plans, causing the board’s approval to lapse.

The brothers returned to the village board last January with a new version of the project, scaled down to 68 hotel rooms and only one added floor. The original plan called for 97 hotel rooms and the addition of three more floors to the existing 5-story structure. The village board granted the Hemani brothers an extension on the hotel.

It’s possible the plans could undergo even more shrinkage. Thulaseedas told Wednesday Journal the Hemani brothers are considering the necessity of adding another floor.

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“[They’re] rethinking whether that sixth floor really needs to be there or not,” he said.

Although this hotel has been in the works for almost four years, Thulaseedas only joined as project architect this past June. The previously eng aged project architect dropped out due to health issues, according to Thulaseedas.

Thulaseedas has submitted a building permit, the next permit necessary to proceed. Dan Yopchick, spokesperson for the Village of Oak Park, confirmed the permit applica-

tion is currently under village review.

Thulaseedas did not have an anticipated opening date for the Holiday Inn Express as his client wishes to base the construction schedule on the permit, which has not been obtained yet.

“I don’t know if the client has a schedule in mind,” he said.

Once the building permit receives approval, Thulaseedas hopes the rest of the project will move forward smoothly.

“Crossing my fingers,” he said.

Community Needs Community Journalism

It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings. We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.

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River Forest further adjusts tra c patterns o Harlem

Five changes OK’d, two sent back for additional review

By ROBERT J. LIFKA

Contributing Reporter

River Forest’s village board continued to wrestle with traffic control issues in the northeast section of the village Aug. 28, approving five recommendations from the Traffic and Safety Commission but referring two other recommendations back to the commission for further study.

Three of the five votes were unanimous but the other two votes and the vote to refer recommendations back to the commission were 4-1 with Trustee Ken Johnson casting the negative votes

The discussion of the traffic control issues has continued at village board and commission meetings for over a year with residents and business owners and operators first expressing concerns about speeding drivers and cut-thru traffic, then debating the effectiveness of measures approved last October and implemented in November

Twenty residents and businesspeople addressed the village board Aug. 28, most opposing the changes made last year, especially the barricades placed at the intersections at North Avenue with Bonnie Brae Place and Clinton Place. However, many speakers supported the modifications with some suggesting that even more changes were needed. Both sides of the discussion stressed the importance of safety, especially that of children who live in the northeast cor ner of the village.

Affected by the Aug. 28 action were Clinton, LeMoyne Street, Bonnie Brae, Greenfield Street and several alleys.

Officials voted unanimously to convert the intersection of Clinton and LeMoyne to a four-way stop; convert the intersection of Bonnie Brae and Greenfield to a three-way stop; and install stop signs and seasonal speed bumps in the alleys between Harlem and William and from Greenfield to North.

The intersection of Clinton and LeMoyne was originally a four-way stop but was changed to a two-way stop in November. At the intersection of Bonnie Brae and Greenfield, only southbound traffic on Bonnie Brae currently is required to stop. Jeff Loster, director of public works and development services, noted that traffic coming out of the

Fenwick parking lot at that intersection already is required to stop.

The stop signs in the alleys are to be placed at each exit as well as on all three legs of the T-intersections bound by Bonnie Brae, LeMoyne and Harlem. Locations of the speed bumps, which will be taken out in winter to accommodate snow removal, will be determined by village staff, Loster said.

Officials voted 4-1 to replace plastic barricades at the intersections of Harlem at LeMoyne and Greenfield with permanent installations. The barricades at these two intersections were installed in November as “right-out-only,” allowing eastbound traffic to continue only into southbound Harlem. However, in April, officials voted to convert the intersections to “right-in-right-out,” allowing southbound traffic on Harlem to turn west into the village. With those changes, traffic on LeMoyne and Greenfield west of Harlem was restored to two-way. The two streets had been one-way eastbound from the alley west of Harlem to Harlem since November.

Responding to questions from officials, Loster said the installations would be concrete and access for emergency vehicles, snow plows and buses would be considered. A suggestion by Johnson to wait for the presentation of the findings of the village wide traffic study currently being conducted including a “traffic calming toolbox” that is expected was not supported

Although the Traf fic and Safety Commission members had recommended that barricades at North and Clinton be removed, they recommended that barricades at North and Bonnie Brae remain until they had the opportunity for further discussion, noting that they would have the findings of the village wide traffic study by their September meeting.

Trustee Katie Brennan suggested referring both recommendations back to the commission due to the similarity in circumstances. Trustee Respicio Vazque z ag reed, stating a desire to decide the two recommendations to gether

Not affected were changes made in November to stop signs on William, LeMoyne, Clinton and Greenfield. Last October, officials voted to convert the two-way stop at the intersection of William and LeMoyne to an all-way stop; the one-way stop at Clinton and Greenfield to a three-way stop; and the four-way stop at Clinton and LeMoyne to a two-way stop by removing east/west stops on LeMoyne.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

KIDSHELPING KIDS

DOMINICAN Expands into city

hands-on from people already in the field.

“We want to provide space and opportunity for all students who are interested in this type of engaging education,” Price said.

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MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 11TH 3:00 - 7:00 PM

700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

T he new c ampus will offer a variety of progr ams including a c ohort-based associate’s de gree, credit and non-credit wo rk force development ce rt ificate progr ams, and select gr aduate progr ams amongst other s.

Barrington Price, vice president for stud ent success and eng agement at Dominican and executive officer for the new Chicago c ampus, said there will be four wo rk -ready ce rt ificates available for careers in le g al studie s, CNA, cyber securit y, and translation and inter pretation.

According to Price, the school is dedicated to closing equity gaps and continuing to deliver quality education to students. The partnership with TRP will help build the university’s reach in Pilsen.

“

News of the campus expansion came a few weeks before Dominican announced it welcomed 42 new students through its ongoing partnership with TheDream.US Scholarship program, which provides colle ge scholarships to undocumented students

According to a Aug. 30 press release from Dominican, the scholarship recipients included 37 first-year students and five transfer students. Additionally, three current Dominican University students also received the scholarship.

“As a university with a le gacy of educating first-generation colle ge students and the children of immigrants, Dominican University is proud to welcome this new class of TheDream.US scholars and support them as they realize their dream of a colle ge education,” said Genaro A. Balcazar, senior vice president of enrollment and marketing strateg y at Dominican in the press release.

MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 11TH

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Majoring in psychology, Dreamer Arely Ramire z, was able to transfer to Dominican for her junior year.

3:00 - 7:00 PM

MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 11TH

3:00 - 7:00 PM of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

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700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

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700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

“What is beautiful about this partnership is that The Resur rection Project has been so instrumental to not only the Pilsen neighborhood but surrounding neighborhoods,” Price said. “We want to be and become an anchor institution. So by learning and walking alongside The Resur rection Project, we think we can learn how best to do that.”

With a student population which is over 70% students of color, Dominican strives to create opportunities for advancement and increase the social mobility of students.

take the wheel.”

ARELY RAMIREZ

Dominican University student

Part of the new venture, according to Price, was increasing access to Chicago Public School and charter school students.

The new Chicago location also serves as an immersive backdrop, providing students with endless opportunities to learn with a “city-as-a-classroom” approach.

“We want students to see themselves in the curriculum that we teach,” Price said. “And we want to use the neighborhoods from which they come from to teach them the concepts we know will help them now and into the future.”

According to Price this can include partnerships with local organizations and creating opportunities for students to learn

“When I found out there was a scholarship I could get for solely being an immigrant, I applied, letting God take the wheel — and so much more came out of that than what I expected,” Ramirez said in the press release. “I not only gained a scholarship, but I gained the security that I can be somebody in life.”

As Dominican continues to embrace students of diverse backgrounds, their new campus will provide on-campus housing opportunities, offering a 100-bed facility for students to learn within arm’s reach of their classrooms.

While the campus was mostly move-in ready, Price said it is undergoing a few updates to get it ready for students for the Fall 2024 start, which they estimate will have about 80 students in its first semester.

“We are really excited about it. We are very interested in serving students. We want to join the community and see the assets of the community as something we can come alongside with, learn from, and add to in ways that are responsive to what the community is driving us to do.”

When I found out there was a scholarship I could get for solely being an immigrant, I applied, letting God

Dominican welcomes largest Freshman class

The University is seeing additional growth with new Pilsen campus

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Dominican University welcomed more than 650 freshman students for the f all 2024 semester — their largest freshman class to date

The record-breaking class, an eight percent increase over last year, joins Dominican as the university continues its efforts to focus on providing culturally responsive student support to ensure students are job-ready through industry-responsive programs.

A Hispanic-serving institution since 2011, the university has been dedicated to becoming a national model of supporting Hispanic students from diverse populations.

Glena G. Temple, president of Dominic an Unive rsit y, said their ongoing ef fo rt s to reach more students are yielding positive responses

“Many of these students are the first in their families to attend colle ge,”’ Temple said. “And we are committed to serving and supporting them as they achieve their academic goals.”

Despite the growth the University is experiencing, the school remains dedicated to small class sizes and continue the “wraparound support” for students, according to reports.

Growth seems to be in Dominican’s future, as the university is expanding its reach with the announcement of a new campus in the Pilsen neighborhood through a partnership with The Resur rection Project. The project is slated to open Fall 2024, and according to Barrington Price, vice president of student success and eng agement, they anticipate around 80 students their opening year.

Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, a ordable, independent housing for seniors. e Oaks o ers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and private bathrooms. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, and parking.

On-site management includes 24/7 emergency maintenance service and a senior services coordinator who is available during business hours to assist residents in accessing service

agencies and programs designed speci cally for seniors. e Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development through the 202/ Section 8 Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent.

For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkrc.com or contact us at 708-386-5862.

Dominican University.

Man and woman steal Oak Park squad car

A man and a woman were seen walking into the Village of Oak Park Public Works Center at 201 South Blvd. through the open overhead garage door on the northwest side. They then drove out of the building in an unmarked 2012 Dodge Charger police squad car at 9:15 a.m. Aug. 25. The offenders were between the ages of 20 and 30 years old.

Chicago police recovered the vehicle, unoccupied and undamaged, at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 31 in the 6100 block of South Peoria Street in Chicago. Another vehicle, stolen from Chicago with no affiliation to Oak Park, was recovered in the same lot.

Laptop burglary

Someone removed a brown leather bag, containing a black Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, from an unlocked 2011 Toyota Highlander on the 200 block of North Kenilworth Avenue between 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 and 6:15 a.m. Aug. 30.

Motor vehicle thefts

■ A silver 2020 Subaru Ascent parked in the 300 block of North Lombard Avenue was removed between 9 p.m. Aug. 31 and 7:19 a.m. Sept. 1.

■ A red 2017 Hyundai Elantra parked on the 800 block of Washington Boulevard was taken between 8 p.m. Sept. 2 and 7 a.m. Sept. 3.

■ A red 2017 Kia Sportage parked on the 100 block of North Kenilworth Avenue was removed between 10:15 p.m. Sept. 2 and 8:20 a.m. Sept. 3.

Attempted vehicle theft

Someone broke the rear passenger’s side window of a blue 2016 Hyundai Tucson, then damaged the vehicle’s steering column between 1 p.m. Sept. 3 and 8 a.m. Sept. 4.

Theft

Someone cut the catalytic converter from a blue Ford Escape parked on the 700 block of Forest Avenue between 6 p.m. Sept. 2 and 8 a.m. Sept. 3.

The catalytic converter was cut from a black Jeep Liberty parked in the 600 block of North Kenilworth Avenue between 8 p.m. Sept. 2 and 8 a.m. Sept. 3.

The catalytic converter was removed from a silver 2010 Toyota Prius parked on the 600 block of North Humphrey Avenue between 5:35 a.m. and 5:40 a.m. Aug. 30.

Someone took copper scrap gutters from a backyard on the 1000 block of North Kenilworth Avenue between 8 p.m. Aug. 25 and 8 p.m. Aug 28. The estimated loss is $300.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports, dated Aug. 29-Sept. 5, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

Church office: 708-383-4983

Pastor email: pastor@firstumcoakpark.org

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

www.firstumcoakpark.org

Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Oak Park!

Our congregation is diverse in age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic situation, and religious background, including no religious background.   We gather to deepen our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Then we scatter to “take the church out of the church and into the community” through our ministries of justice and mercy as we strive to live out our values.

We worship every Sunday at 10:00 am in person and online for an experience that celebrates and glorifies God through prayer, music, praise, and the spoken word.

Christian Education opportunities will be offered throughout the week beginning again after our fall kick-off, Welcometo-Church Sunday, September 17th This worship experience will feature our diverse music ministry that includes traditional choral pieces, contemporary

praise and worship, and hand bell choir selections. An Open House and luncheon will follow open to all in attendance.

At First United Methodist Church of Oak Park, we believe that faith is a journey best experienced in a shared and supportive community.

We invite you to our website to Plan Your Visit and to learn more about our ministries as well as our historic church building. Our journey of faith is both lifeaffirming and life-sustaining. We welcome fellow travelers on the journey of life. There’s a place for you here!

Calendar highlights:

Sept. 9. Habitat for Humanity Build Day

Sept. 10 Cookie packing for Kairos Prison Ministry

Sept. 17 Welcome-to-Church Sunday

Oct. 14 Pet Blessing and Kids’ Costume Give-Away

www.firstumcoakpark.org

St. Luke and St. Bernardine Parish

Chabad Jewish Center of Oak Park

Chabad Jewish Center of Oak Park offers an array of services and transformative programs that cater to individuals of all backgrounds and levels of observance, allowing them to connect with their faith and heritage. These services and initiatives have played a pivotal role in fostering spiritual growth, promoting communal harmony, and addressing social needs.

At the heart of Chabad’s extensive offerings lies its deeply resonant religious services. While conducted primarily in Hebrew, our prayer book is in both Hebrew and English. The tunes are old, familiar ones, and they are sung by both those who know the words and those who can only hum along, with all the gusto befitting the joy of Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.

Chabad’s educational programs cater to both youth and adults, these programs deliver traditional Jewish teachings in a contemporary context.

While hands-on activities and programs bring Jewish life alive to the young, Adult classes delve into topics ranging from Torah study and ethical principles to mysticism, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and personal advancement.

Beyond education, Chabad extends a helping hand to those in need. Its outreach initiatives encompass various stages of life as well as Chaplaincy, Hospital and Nursing Home visitations to name a few.

In essence, Chabad, stands as an exemplar of holistic community service. Its diverse programs cater to the mind, body, and spirit, fostering an environment where individuals can explore their spirituality, engage in continuous personal development, and actively contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

Find Community at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Looking for community and connection after the disruptive isolation of the pandemic? Looking for a place where you can join others in a search for what moves you and makes sense to you? Looking for a community that is dedicated not just to individual spiritual growth but also finding ways to act on your values and beliefs with others to build a better, more just Oak Park, western suburbs, and beyond?

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation might be the place for you. We are a multigenerational, creedless community with a mission of welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder, and serving community. We welcome and affirm people as they are—wherever they are in their journey, however they identify and understand themselves, whomever they love. Together, we are working for collective liberation within and beyond our landmark building walls that are as colorful, multifaceted, and diverse as the tiles of a mosaic.

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER

Oak Park - River Forest

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER

CHABAD JEWISH

• Lifelong Learning: Enrich your understanding through educational programs that explore various spiritual paths, philosophies and life’s big questions.

• Inclusive Sunday Services: Experience open-hearted worship services that draw from diverse traditions, encourage reflection and connection.

• Social Justice: Join like-minded individuals to support local initiatives creating positive impacts within our community and beyond.

• Youth & Family Engagement: Nurture the next generation’s values of compassion, empathy and curiosity through our engaging youth programs.

We invite you to check out our worship service and children’s & youth religious education program at 10am on Sunday. The service is also live-streamed. Connect with us at www.unitytemple.org.

Oak Park - River Forest

Oak Park - River Forest

CHABAD JEWISH

Oak

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish life.

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish life.

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and

FAMILY HOLIDAY EVENTS

Rosh Hashanah Dinner Public Menorah Lighting I Purim Dinner Pesach Seder

SYNAGOGUE SERVICES

Your Home For Everything Jewish!

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish life.

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing

Chabad is dedicated to providing all people regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish life.

Your

Your Home For Everything Jewish!

Shabbat and Holiday Services I Weekly Kiddush I Bar and Bat Mitzvah Classes

SYNAGOGUE

ADULT EDUCATION

Jewish Learning Institute I Weekly Torah Classes I One-on-One Study

EDUCATION

SOCIAL SERVICES

Hospital Chaplaincy Senior Home Visitation Personal Counseling

Jewish Learning Institute I Weekly Torah Classes One-on-One Study

SOCIAL SERVICES

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Jewish Enrichment Program Holiday Hands-On Events

Hospital Chaplaincy Senior Home Visitation I Personal Counseling

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

JEWISH WOMEN’S CIRCLE

Monthly Discussion Group Challah Baking Cooking Series

Jewish Enrichment Program Holiday Hands-On Events

JEWISH WOMEN’S CIRCLE

JEWISH WOMEN’S CIRCLE

Monthly Discussion Group Challah Baking I Cooking Series

Monthly Discussion Group Challah Baking Cooking Series

OAKPARKJEWISH.ORG

OAKPARKJEWISH.ORG

708.872.7771 • Info@OakParkJewish.org

OAKPARKJEWISH.ORG

708.872.7771 • Info@OakParkJewish.org

708.872.7771 • Info@OakParkJewish.org

Connection | Transformation | Acceptance | Justice

Worship Service and Religious Education

Sundays at 10am both In-person and Online 875 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 unitytemple.org

Chalice Art by Peg Green www.peacepeg.com

Oak Park Temple: A Community for All

Oak Park Temple: A Community for All

Step into our rotunda any Sunday morning, and you’ll see why we treasure Oak Park Temple as our Jewish home.

Our men’s club, the Bagel Boys, is serving up bagels and cream cheese. Kids are rushing from religious school class to a youth service, where we can hear them joyfully singing. Adults are chatting, reading the Sunday papers, or heading to Torah study.

our neighbors, and become involved in social justice.

Bringing us all together are our worship services. Our clergy inspire us with powerful lessons, and support us with deeply meaningful pastoral care. Our new cantor leads us in beautiful song, and raises up our voices beside hers.

Anyone who might be intimidated at connecting with a synagogue need not be. Our Reform services incorporate significant amounts of English. Our Torah study groups are open to everyone - no experience required. And for those who want to learn Hebrew or further deepen their Jewish knowledge, we have Hebrew classes and an adult education program that brings in speakers on a wide array of subjects.

Oak Park Temple is a vibrant, welcoming, multigenerational Jewish community - a place where new and longtime members, interfaith couples, Jews-by-choice, LGBTQ+ families, and more come together to worship, learn, make friends, and make a difference in our world.

We come from diverse backgrounds and with different levels of Jewish knowledge. But we are united by a desire to live out our Judaism in community - and to welcome new friends to join us.

We are a community of all ages. Our preschool is a joyous and enriching setting where children and parents make lifelong friends. Our Tot Shabbats get everyone jamming. Our religious school develops older children’s Jewish learning and prepares them for adulthood. Adults can practice yoga at Oak Park Temple, join the choir, help

Oh, and we also have fun! Our communal life includes a Jewish book club, picnics in the park, Shabbat walks through the woods, and folk-song and camp-style Shabbat services.

As the High Holidays draw near, we invite you to get in touch.

For all who seek a deeper connection to Judaism, Oak Park Temple is a place of warmth and welcome - and perhaps your new home.

First Pres River Forest: Your “Third Place”

“Third place”: a sociocultural concept that describes a familiar spot where you connect with others, known and unknown, over a shared interest or activity to foster a sense of belonging and community.

First Pres is a real church for real people. We are a community growing together as apprentices of Jesus Christ to reflect God’s love. How to describe this special place in 250 words? We’ll try: Christ is our center, everything we do is in service to him. We love each other, putting others’ needs before our own. We worship from the heart, not in rote habit. We believe music has the power to build unity in community, and to draw us closer to God and each other. The Word of God is our foundation; text directly from the Bible provides our teaching. We believe what we do, not what we say, should be visible demonstrations of God’s truth and love.

Each fall we welcome the community to a Fall Fest Carnival. Stop by and meet us on Sunday, September 10, at 11:30 am. This is an informal time to gather and kick off the fall with friends, food, carnival games (and prizes!). Learn about activities for the whole family—Sunday Kids Club, Parent Oasis, Adult Ed and worship each Sunday morning. And, ask us about the Progressive Dinner, youth retreats, Christmas concerts, Vacation Bible School, Random Acts of Kindness programs, and so much more.

Let First Pres be your third place. There’s a place for you here.

Everyone is a Child of God

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church welcomes you with the guiding belief that everyone is a child of God. We are a congregation dedicated to following Christ’s call to love and serve. If you are seeking a church home, there is a place for you here.

Join us for worship at 10:00 am on Sundays. The service is in-person and available online. Our church is located at 744 Fair Oaks Avenue at the corner of Fair Oaks and Thomas in Oak Park, with plenty of on-street parking.

For more than 20 years, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church has built intergenerational relationships and supported faith formation in children through its LOGOS program. Each Wednesday afternoon and evening, LOGOS participants take part in Bible study, recreation, a family-style meal, and worship arts (handbell ringing, liturgy

preparation, and more).

LOGOS runs mid-September to midMarch. Families do not need to be members of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, but they should have a genuine desire to support their child’s Christian education and development.

• September 10 - registration for LOGOS opens

• September 17 at 11 am - LOGOS information session at the church At Fair Oaks, there are many opportunities to learn, to serve, and to build community for children, teens, and adults of all ages.

For more information please visit our website www.fairoakspres.org and let us help you find your place here.

Outside the Box: modern and contemporary houses in Riverside

Exhibit draws on talents from several towns

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

On Sept. 10, the Riverside Arts Center will kick of f a photo graphy exhibition that celebrates a selection of modern and contemporary houses of Riverside. While the event’s roots in the community are deep — guest co-curators Kim Freeark and Michelangelo Sabatino both own homes in Riverside — the exhibition in the RAC’s FlexSpace would not exist without collaborators from Forest Park and Oak Park

Liz Chilsen, executive director of the RAC, is a Forest Parkbased artist, and photographer Will Quam lives in Oak Park. Sabatino, an architectural historian, preservationist, and faculty member in the College of Architecture at IIT, emphasizes that the exhibition is a collective effort, one that he says proves that “the burbs are not sleepy!”

“Having relied upon the collaboration of a local photographer, graphic designer and writers based in or nearby Riverside, this exhibition demonstrates that the wester n suburbs are alive with creative talent,” he says Chilsen agrees, saying that ethos sets the exhibit apart from the RAC’s typical shows. With most exhibits, the RAC provides a platform for artists to present their work, but in this case, staff and board members of the RAC contributed their creativity.

“It’s been really inspiring,” she says

“This exhibition is like the Arts Center itself. Volunteers worked to bring it into existence,” she says, pointing to Kim Freeark, whose parents Ruth and Robert founded the RAC in 1993.

Kim Freeark purchased her parents’ for mer home, an International Style home designed by architects John Vinci and Lawrence Kenny, in 1975 when she moved back to the area as an adult. When Chilsen called her asking if she had any ideas for an exhibit, Freeark says she was inspired by the town itself A self-described architecture nut, Freeark said she had set out to run every neighborhood of Riverside, and during those workouts was awestruck by the amazing architecture of the village and wanted to learn more. She thought it would be a great idea to do an exhibition based on the modern and contemporary houses of Riverside, and when she reached out to Sabatino, whose expertise is modern architecture, the project she says, “just grew and grew.”

They knocked on doors to see if homeowners would participate, and then they narrowed down their subjects to 30 houses built from the 1930’s to the present. An additional 5 honorable mentions are also included in the exhibition.

PHOTO BY WILL QUAM

House on Herrick Road in Riverside.

HOUSE EXHIBIT Celebrating modern

from page 21

The name of the exhibition came about from a brainstorm session between Sabatino and Freeark. She recalls, “He asked, ‘what’s the goal of our exhibition?’ I replied that I was looking for houses that were built by or inhabited by people who think outside the box.”

She adds with a laugh, “a subtitle of this could be ‘there goes the neighborhood.’ A lot of these houses were not understood by everyone at the time they were built.”

The oldest house in the exhibit was built in 1933 as part of the Century of Progress International Exhibition. It was a one-story “box” consisting of prefabricated panels when first built. Later owners added a second story, hipped roof and a stand-alone garage.

Another home was inspired by the original owner’s trip to the Paris Exposition in the late 1930’s. The French Regencystyle home includes a dome on top and clerestory windows. Although the ornament may not be modern, the straightforward plan of the house certainly is

Some of the modern homes have been altered from their original state. The for mer mid-century convent for St. Mary’s Catholic Church had 21 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms when the owners purchased it. They brought in the new owner’s architect brother to reimagine it as a singlefamily home

Photographer Quam says he’s had a lifelong interest in architecture and was excited to help tell the story of Riverside’s twentieth-century residential architecture. He says each of the 35 homes was so unique that he took a different approach with each photograph.

“The tricky thing about Riverside is that the landscaping is such a big part of it,” he says, noting he had to be very intentional about siting the home in the landscape for the photos while adjusting the lighting due to the curves of Riverside’s streets

Freeark, Sabatino and Chilsen note that the exhibit ties in with the ef for ts of many others in the community. Riverside homeowner and architect Andrew Obendorf created a set of 3-D printed models of a selection of the houses that will be included in the exhibition. Third-generation Riverside resident Bianca Buckzo will lead a walking tour featuring some of the homes, and RAC board member Dan Streeting designed the beautiful catalogue for the exhibition, which contains Quam’s photographs and stories of the homes and their owners.

When the exhibit closes, the images will be donated to the Riverside Historical Museum. Chilsen stresses the role the historical museum plays in the village, noting that it is both a great resource for residents while also a valuable place for residents to donate important records.

“People may be afraid that when they give something to the historical museum they will lose it, but they are actually saving it” she says.

For Freeark, the emphasis on architecture and landscape is part of what drives Riverside’s success as a small town. “This town is a magnet to a certain kind of person,” she says, noting that everyone seems to understand the importance of architecture. “You don’t see the McMansions and tear downs here. The whole town has some kind of mindset. Everybody loves their house.”

“People here take architecture and preservation seriously,” says Sabatino.

As homes that were once considered “outsiders” become part of the historical canon, Sabatino believes Riverside straddles a unique place in Chicagoland: “Even though the tenets of Olmsted and Vaux’s General Plan have remained,

Important Details

Exhibition dates: Sept. 10 – Oct. 21, 2023

Location: Riverside Arts Center, 32 Quincy St., Riverside

Opening reception: Sunday, Sept. 10, 3 to 6 p.m.

Gallery hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 1 to 5 p.m.

Walking Tour: Saturday, Sept. 23, 1 to 3 p.m. Meet at the Riverside Train

Station. Led by Bianca Buczko

Publication: Outside the Box: Modern and Contemporary Houses in Riverside will be available for purchase at the opening reception and afterwards.

Panel discussion: Living in a Modern or Contemporary House in Riverside Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library. An infor mal conversation highlighting contemporary and moder n houses in Riverside with co-curators Kim Freeark and Michelangelo Sabatino, photographer Will Quam, Riverside homeowners. Event in collaboration with the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside (FLOS).

Website: https://www.riversideartscenter.com/ flexspace/2023/09/-outside-the-box

Riverside is not frozen in time. The abundance of interesting modern and contemporary houses demonstrates the degree with which architects and their clients were “thinking outside the box” and continue to do so even today.”

House on Longcommon Road in Riverside

PHOTO BY WILL QUAM

House on Quin cy Street in Riverside.

So close, but Huskies can’t close in second loss

OPRF drops hear tbreaker 18-16 to Lake Park

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

When junior quarterback Owen Watson — starting for injured sophomore Johnny Nelson — connected with classmate Matt Winkelhake for a late touchdown, it seemed the Oak Park and River Forest High School football team would pull out a victory in its home opener over Lake Park Sept. 1.

But the Lancers’ Matthew Rodriguez returned the following kickof f for a touchdown to stun the crowd at Oak Park Stadium. Then the Huskies’ potential game-winning field goal attempt in the final seconds was tipped at the line of scrimmage, resulting in a tough 18-16 defeat.

“I told the team afterwards that there were some really good things that happened,” said John Hoerster, OPRF coach. “We got better from last week (34-13 loss to Fenwick), but we just can’t give up those big plays. That’s from a lack of experience, and when we get to a point when we’re a little more savvy, those kinds of things aren’t going to happen.”

It took three plays for Lake Park (2-0) to find the end zone. Declan Fortuna’s 60-yard dash to the OPRF 4 on the second play from scrimmage set up a four-y touchdown run by Robert Munaco. However, the Lanc ers’ point-after hit the right upright, leaving the 6-0 just 1:12 into the contest.

But the Huskies’ defense settled down, holding La Park scoreless the remainder of the first half and ing two turnovers — a fumble recovery by Je Williams and an interception by Sam Gray. Moreover, the Huskies (0-2) gradually picked up the pace offensively and took the lead on a four-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Mykah Riley, follo Eric Guerrier’s extra point with 8:40 left in the first half OPRF started the second half moving deep into La Park ter ritory. But the drive stalled, and Guerrier came on to kick a 32-yard field goal. The successful boot raised the Huskies’ lead to 10-6 at the 6:24 mark of third quar ter.

However, Lake Park responded with a 10-play march. George Tzamouranis connected with Chaz Or rico on a 50-yard touchdown rece ption that re the lead for the Lancers. But the extra point was missed

See HUSKIES on page 25

New coach takes on lauded Fenwick girls swimming team

Munster leads program with storied history

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Fenwick High School’s girls swimming and diving team has a new leader this season as Ben Munster takes over the head coaching duties from Steve Thompson, who led the program the past three years.

“The facilities, environment, and athletes for a state-leading program exist here,” said Munster. “The transition has been great thus far, and the swimmers work hard every day to meet the high academic and athletic expectations.”

A for mer swimmer at Virginia Tech, Munster comes to Fenwick with eight years of coaching experience. He has worked at swim

clubs in California, Colorado, and Georgia, and recently was an assistant coach locally with the Hinsdale Swim Club

He joins a progr returning swimmers and di for all levels. Notable include sophomores Donald and Claire Viktoria Castillo, Alexandra Lefko, Mulvihill; and senior Cailey Peele. All swam or di

IHSA Leyden Township sectional last year won who advanced all three along with seven individuals downstate.

Doherty qualified in the 200-yard individu al medley and the 500-yard freestyle, winning the latter at Leyden. She was also part of Fenwick’s state-qualifying 200-yard medley

(along with Mulvihill) and the 400-yard freestyle (along with Peele) relay teams

Peele took part riars’ 200-yard freestyle state-qualifying relay, and Castillo was a state qualifier in diving. an the new season

26 with a 9th-place finish in vitational at Hinsdale entral. Mulvihill’s 2nd-place showing (time of 59.73 seconds) backstroke along 9th-place effort (2:00.49) in the 200 freestyle were

riars also received confreshmen. Joey Dumm placed third in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:14.05, while Maggie Raniere took 15th in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.98).

“Leading the Fenwick program is a large

responsibility,” Munster said. “I am thankful for the trust placed in me by the athletic department and parents of the athletes to lead the team. The swimmers and divers are working hard to achieve positive results in the championship phase of the season.”

Fenwick has a tradition of excellence in girls swimming and diving. The Friars are a perennial top team in the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference and have won 22 of the last 23 IHSA sectionals. With several veterans from last season’s sectional champion on hand, Munster is confident he can maintain the program’s standards

“I have been tasked by Scott Thies (Fenwick athletic director) to set high expectations and build strong relationships with the athletes,” he said. “These two items will guide the team toward building a positive training environment where swimmers and divers will compete to ear n points at every competition.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Oak Park and River Forest’s quar terback, Owen Watson (10), attempts a pass against Lake Park

BEN MUNSTER

OPRF honors Flowers by retiring his football jersey

Colts’ star still close to OPRF coach, teammates, teachers

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The turnout of family and for mer OPRF teammates for Dallis Flowers football jersey retirement Sept. 1 was “a blessing” the NFL player will long remember. The ceremony took place before the Huskies’ home opener with Lake Park Sept. 1.

“It means a lot,” said Flowers, who’s about to enter his second season with the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts. “These guys are going to be with me for life, and I appreciate them.”

Flowers’ number 21 is only the second football number to be retired by the school. Eric Kumerow, who wore 14, is the other.

“It’s surreal,” said Flowers, class of 2015. “Coming into high school, I wasn’t even thinking about getting my jersey number retired, I was just playing football and basketball. But all the hard work and dedication is being noticed, and I’m definitely blessed for this opportunity.”

When OPRF told Flowers about this unique honor, to say he was elated would be an understatement.

“It’s like a dream without having a dream,” he said. “I grew up seeing this happen to other people, and for it to happen to me, it’s a blessing.”

Flowers took the road less traveled to reach the NFL, attending four different colleges over a seven-year period (Robert Morris College, Tiffin University, Grand View University, and Pittsburg State). He made the NAIA All-American Team twice while at Grand View, and during his bonus eligibility season of 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he had a teamhigh four interceptions and two kickoff return touchdowns at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State.

Then after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Flowers signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent. He rewarded

HUSKIES

Coming up short

from page 24

again, leaving the score 12-10 heading into the final quarter.

After the teams exchanged multiple defensive stops, OPRF took over on its 19 with 3:48 left. Six plays later, Watson (14-of-27, 203 yards, 2 TD, INT) hit Winkelhake (5 rece ptions, 117 yards) for a 69-yard touchdown.

“Johnny was getting most of the reps during practice last week, and when Owen got thrown into the (Fenwick) game, he just hadn’t had many,” Hoerster said. “This

their belief in him by not only making the 53-man roster, but by eventually becoming their lead kickoff returner

Starting with Week 12, Flowers amassed 715 yards on 23 returns with an average of 31.5 yards to lead the league. Perhaps his biggest moment took place in front of a national television audience on Monday Night Football Nov. 28, when he ran back the second-half kickoff 89 yards to set up a Colts’ touchdown versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For his accomplishments, Flowers was voted to the Pro Football Writers of America Association’s All-Rookie Team.

Several of Flowers’ OPRF teammates, including Jared Scott, came out to support him at the ceremony.

“I wanted to be here for him,” said Scott, who also attended several colleges upon graduating in 2017 and still has hopes of making and sticking in the NFL after being on the Carolina Panthers’ training camp roster last year and then spending time on the Colts’ practice squad

Scott said he enjoyed playing with Flowers on the Huskies’ 2014-2015 boys basketball team. He got a first-hand glimpse of how hardworking and special Flowers was

“I was a sophomore playing up on the varsity team when Dallis was a senior,” Scott said. “He was electric on the field, and that goes true for basketball as well. He was the leader of our (basketball) team, and it was a lot of fun.”

Flowers was coached in football by John Hoerster, whom he speaks highly of

“Coach Hoerster is a great coach and a great person outside of football,” he said. “I’m glad I got the chance to be one of his players, and I appreciate him a lot.”

In tur n, Hoerster says he feels blessed to have coached Flowers. He especially likes the fact that Flowers has stayed humble and true to his roots despite becoming a well-known NFL player.

“He’s a great football player, there’s no arguing that,” said Hoerster. “But in terms of the relationships he’s built through football going back to high school, he’s held on to his friends. Dallis is not surrounded by those who are Johnnies

week, Owen was able to get all the reps and understood the game plan, and he did a really nice job. It’s an amazing group of quarterbacks I love working with.”

The Huskies then opted to go for two, but Khalil Nichols was knocked out of bounds short of the goal line on a swing pass. Still, OPRF led 16-12 with 1:13 remaining.

On the ensuing kickof f however, Rodriguez fielded the ball near his goal line, veered right, and found an open lane to the house. His 99-yard return gave Lake Park the lead again, but the Lancers failed to convert the extra point for the third time, keeping the score 18-16 with :58 left.

“(Rodriguez’s) foot was very close to that goal line,” Hoerster said. “It’s a game of inches; we kick that ball two feet further,

come lately. He’s sticking with that crew that he’s been friends with forever.

“Dallis also came back last year for the Proviso West game, and in the offseason to visit his for mer teachers. He’s maintaining a connection to his roots, and I’m humbled and proud to get to say that I got a chance to coach Dallis Flowers.”

Just because he’s established himself in the NFL, that doesn’t mean the grind stops for Flowers. He enters this season looking to improve further for the Colts

“I just expect to be me and make plays,” Flowers said. “I want to play sticky and savvy defense at cor ner and put my name on the map and let the world know who Dallis Flowers is.”

and it’s a touchback. Instead, one of their faster kids hits a seam, we slip in our lanes, and there he goes.”

OPRF got the ball back on its 35, and Watson completed passes of 12 yards to Nichols, 15 and 10 yards respectively to Winkelhake, and 8 yards to Mikee Vielehr.

“Credit to our offense, we ran the twominute drill perfectly,” Hoerster said. “We maybe could’ve gotten down a little closer to help (Guer rier) out, perhaps even scored a touchdown. But our kids never gave up.”

On 4th and 2 from the Lake Park 20 with :10 left, Guerrier came on for a potential game-winning field goal try from 37 yards out. But the Lancers got good pressure up the middle and slightly tipped the kick, causing it to veer left of the upright.

“We put ourselves in position to win, but they made a great play,” Hoerster said. “They got a good push up front.”

While losing the season’s first two g ames is not ideal, the Huskies know there’s plenty of time left to turn things around. Hoerster feels it’s more important than ever that his players stick to gether and not give up.

“We’re going through some growing pains,” he said. “We can’t take this loss away, but we’ve got to move on to next week. If the senior leadership steps up and the younger guys believe, I like the direction we’re headed.”

OPRF opens West Suburban Silver play at Proviso West Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Dallis Flowers is greeted by friends a er receiving his framed jersey during a retirement ceremony before OPRF’s game against Lake Park.

ONSCIOUS A GING

Ageism awareness leads to action

Oct. 7 is Ageism Awareness Day, an important event because it brings attention to what has been termed the last socially acceptable prejudice — ageism. It refers to the discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice that people may experience based on their ag e, whether they are young or old. Like ableism, racism, sexism, and homophobia, ageism perpetuates unfair treatment and undermines people’s dignity and rights.

Here are seven reasons why Ageism Awareness Day is important, not in any particular order:

1. Promotes Equity and Inclusion: Ageism Awareness Day helps foster a more inclusive town where people of all ages are treated with respect and dignity. Let’s reco gnize the value that people of different age groups bring to our communities.

Celebrating OPRF’s sesquicentennial

BLESOFF

2. Challenges Stereotypes: Ageism often leads to harmful stereotypes about older or younger people. These stereotypes can impact employment opportunities, housing, healthcare decisions and overall social interactions. Let’s challenge these stereotypes and promote understanding of people’s abilities and potential, re gardless of our age.

3. Supports Mental Health: Ageism can have a ne gative impact on mental health, leading to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem and depression. Let’s build a town where people can age gracefully and feel valued at any stage of our lives.

4. Advocates for Policy Changes: Ageism Awareness Day can serve as a platform to advocate for policy changes that combat age-related discrimination. In order to do that, we need to think outside the box — just doing more of what we’ve been doing for the past 50 years will not cut it. These policy changes might include protections against age-based workplace discrimination, providing accessible housing, ensuring accessible health care for all age groups and promoting intergenerational programs that encourage positive interactions between different generations.

Since its founding as just a single classroom in 1873, Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF) has grown into a cornerstone of the community, with its million-square-foot building, multiple athletic fields, and 3,400 active, engaged, energetic students To mark the illustriousness of its 150th anniversary, OPRF is celebrating in a variety of ways throughout the 2023-2024 school year — and not just by looking back at the school’s many accolades

OPRF also plans to demonstrate the school’s current impact with the Sesquicentennial Challenge, an effort to rally current and for mer Huskies around the world to log 150,000 hours of community service between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Students, staff, parents, alumni, retirees, and Huskie supporters are invited to participate by volunteering for the cause of their choice and logging their hours through the OPRF website. To help promote the cause, alumni and the school’s Newscene student news class collaborated to produce a video (https://www.youtube.com/@OPRFUtube) featuring such notable alums such as Food Network star Jeff Mauro, Paralympics silver medalist John Register, and ABC-7 news reporter Evelyn Holmes

Logged hours are at 3% of the goal so far, with volunteers involved in activities such as building bike-pedestrian

trails in Wisconsin, taking care of goats at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, and restoring the oyster population in New York Harbor.

‘O ur Time to Grow ’ mural

To commemorate the school’s sesquicentennial for generations to come, the Huskie Booster Club parent group donated $50,000 to create a mosaic mural on the west side of the school. OPRF art teacher and internationally recognized mosaic artist Tracy Van Duinen worked in partnership with local artist Carolyn Elaine and the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s Off the Wall program to bring the enormous piece from concept to finished work in just four months

Each summer, Off the Wall hires young adults, age 16-22, to apprentice with master artists to design, construct, and install mosaic and bricolage murals in local communities, including several around Oak Park This year the program put its funding toward employing 14 students and recent graduates, who designed and built the mural in sections in the OPRF auto shop over the summer.

A dedication of the mural is planned for Monday, Se pt. 18, at 6:30 p.m., and all are welcome to attend.

Epic fail at Lake & Lathrop

‘It’s very dif ficult to get information from you. Why don’t you communicate with us?” That’s what Erika Bachner, River Forest village trustee, asked the principals of Sedgwick Properties last week in a public meeting

A more than reasonable question for the failing developers of River Forest’s most notable and most thoroughly botched development project ever.

We won’t go back over the decades of history on the prime parcel at Lake and Lathrop, though Village President Cathy Adduci did bring up soil contamination, an early indicator of the endless woes to come. Damn dry cleaner.

Marty Paris, president of Sedgwick, son of the for mer village president, Frank Paris, and the non-communicator-in-chief, was thoroughly and rightly basted by Bachner and fellow Trustee Katie Brennan. Neither voted in favor of yet another extension for the project even though this time around that extension comes with actual and notable financial penalties and other demands — fix the sidewalk! The extension passed on a 4-2 vote. Paris also ag reed to provide a construction update at each village board meeting, at least, until certificates of occupancy are issued for the retail and condo project. The most immediate update needed is finding some source of funding for construction. Currently, funding is balled up in a lawsuit brought by a division of Wintrust Bank, the primary lender. At a time when all lending has gotten much more expensive and difficult to ear n, Sedgwick’s track record is not compelling.

A majority of the village board and its president turned the screws but still came out on Sedgwick’s side. If the board is serious, if it enforces its demands that permit fees and back taxes get paid pronto and new financing is transparently reported, then, on a very short leash, this project might move ahead.

We are not betting on it. And we’d like to hear more transparency about the village’s fallback plan if Sedgwick fails to move ahead in short order.

OPRF is not New Trier

Oak Park and River Forest High School was just ranked the 34th best public high school in Illinois. That is up 5 spots from last year in the U.S. News rankings.

Let’s start with our doubts about the efficacy of these rankings. Fully data driven, the rankings use just 6 factors to create the rankings. They are what they are.

When we publish this information each year, it leads to some chatter along the lines of, “Why isn’t OPRF higher?” “Look at the taxes we pay!” “How come New Trier is always ahead of us?”

A few notes: Eleven of the schools ahead of OPRF on the list are selective enrollment, meaning they pick their students; their students don’t pick them. And public high schools, including New Trier, Hinsdale Central, Glenbrook and Glenbard place higher than OPRF.

They are substantially less diverse, notably more affluent than OPRF. That’s the explanation. Our high school is richly diverse, more complex and that’s the joy of living in Oak Park and River Forest. Celebrate it.

Remembering our ne, feathered friend

He had us at “Ello!”

George wasn’t good at “H,” but that’s asking a bit much. This was a parrot speaking English after all. He didn’t say much else — a whistle here and there, some chatty noises. But “Ello!” was plenty. We knew what he was getting at.

He was getting at us.

Technically, he was mimicking us, but his human visitors mimicked him right back. I always returned his “Ello!” using my best par rot dialect. So did my son, and eventually my grandsons. That’s how long he was around.

Our conversations consisted largely of “Ello!” Back and for th. It could go on a while. We never tired of hearing him say it. “Ello!” was enough. We were, after all, breaking through the conversational wall between species. George wasn’t stingy with his time and attention. He was always g ame for some back-and-forth. Kids couldn’t get enough of it. But maybe his for mer owner did. A policeman walked in one day in the early 1990s with George in tow and asked John Seaton, the longtime Oak Park Conservatory director, if he wanted a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot. John, who is brilliant when it comes to plants, is apparently also an excellent judge of character in parrots. He had a brilliant re ply to the police officer’s query.

He said “Yes.”

The policeman said George was 40-some years old. He didn’t come with a birth certificate. But he lasted another 30-some years, exceeding the already lengthy life expectancy of this particular breed of parrot, which is 70 years.

Long enough to get acquainted with several generations of Oak Parkers.

George always reminded me of Dr. Dolittle’s pet parrot Polynesia (aka Poly), who taught the good doctor to speak to animals, was ancient beyond even George, and vastly more erudite. Polynesia was an uber-connector, and so was George, who didn’t talk as much, but who did what any self-respecting parrot would as he lived out the rest of his life in an institutional setting (albeit an institutionally re-created tropical forest): He became an institution himself. I don’t know if I could have talked my son, and then my grandsons, into re gular visits to a greenhouse full of interesting plants. But I usually got a positive response to, “Hey, let’s go visit George!”

My grandsons liked him so much, they adopted him. They wanted to donate some of the proceeds from a particularly lucrative lemonade stand earlier this summer to a good cause, so they opted to adopt.

And then he died. Not immediately — two months later. Still, the timing was bad. Tears fl owed. “I kind of wish you didn’t tell us,” said Tyler. Later he added, “He felt more like a pet.” But of course I had to tell them. George was a friend. You couldn’ t wait till the next visit and when they asked where he was, just shrug it of f or make a bad joke about pa rrot heaven. No, this was a situation that needed to be squarely faced. This was a loss, and with loss, g rief is unavoidable. With George, there was no way around the sadness, and shedding tears was entirely appropriate. When they asked how he died, I explained that George had lived a long full

life because lots of people loved him, and when you get to be really, really old, eventually your heart just gives out.

Their mom said their donation might have ke pt him alive a little longer. Long enough for one more visit after the adoption. He looked really sleepy, but he revived enough to exchange a few “ellos.” It didn’t even occur to us to say “goodbye.” I suggested they do a painting of George to remember him by, which they did.

The Conservatory has two other parrots, but there will never be another George. In what other town in America would the death of a parrot make the front page of the local newspaper?

George was special.

He was a rock star who learned how to say “Ello!” And the rest of us learned, the hard way, how to say “goodbye.”

KEN TRAINOR

Br yce and Tyler’s memorial paintings.

Just monkeying around

When I was in high school, I visited both Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo a number of times. The zoos were crowded with people of all ages having fun, laughing at the playful monkeys and watching the tigers and lions chewing up huge chunks of raw, red meat. When I went with friends to Brookfield Zoo, we had fun tossing peanuts to the elephants and bears until a guard told us to read the sign, which, of course, said not to feed the animals

My friend Tom felt sorry for the animals because he thought they were unhappy in In fact, he believed that the leopards paced back and for th because they wanted ed a zoo guard about this, and he told us that animals live longer and happier in zoos than they do in the wilds. The uard also told us that leopards pace by habit, and he felt they preferred their zoo home rather than facing the dangers of the jungle He said, though, that this was only specula-

The guard also said that many zoo animals w no other life because they were born in captivity and would feel traumatized outside of their zoo homes

The zoo animals lived in enclosures and, at Lincoln Park Zoo, cages were either barred or strung with wire, but the enclosures for snakes and monkeys were made of glass, because wire or bars would not contain snakes, and monkeys are susceptible to certain human diseases, so glass would protect them from the human visitors.

At Brookfield Zoo, I noticed that the apes were surrounded by water filled ditches Apes cannot swim, so the moats would keep them far from the public. Behind the moats, I saw mountain goats climb what were abbreviated copies of their homes in the Rockies, and lions stalked about on flat, grassy areas or rocky ledges.

My friends and I were curious as to what the animals ate, so we asked a caretaker who told us that each animal ate food carefully planned by zoo chefs to meet their special needs. The chefs, we were told, prepared mixtures of minerals, vitamins, and basic foods to keep the animals healthy and content.

The main foods that made up meals for the animals, as I recall, were eggs, fish, fruit, grains, horsemeat, and vegetables

The caretaker told us that some of the animals didn’t like the food that they were given. He said some gorillas dislike bananas and would rather eat grain, and some anteaters would prefer raw meat and eggs

Certain items can make animals sick, and we saw thoughtless people throw tinfoil and candy wrappers at the animals, but caretakers told us that animals generally know what not to eat, and they rarely overeat.

If animals did get sick, on-site veterinarians took care of them in the zoo hospital.

One day when we were leaving one of the animal houses at Lincoln Park Zoo, I saw a full-length mirror next to the exit door

A sign above this mirror said to look in the mirror and you’ ll see the most dangerous animal on the earth.

Tax bills and tax appeals

The Oak Park Township Assessor’s Of fice has recently been receiving many questions from residents about two interrelated issues:

Issue 1: When are the tax bills coming out? The second installment of 2022 tax bills are expected to be issued in mid- to late-October of 2023. They will likely be due no later than Dec. 1, 2023.

ALI ELSAFFAR One View

problems, stemming from a new computer system in the county assessor’s office, delayed the transmission of assessment data between the two appeal agencies. As a result, the Board of Review could not open for 2021 appeals until Dec. 6, 2021. The board’s Dec. 6 start date meant that the second installment of 2021 tax bills were due a little over 12 months later, on Dec. 30, 2022.

Issue 2: When can I file an appeal? The Cook County Board of Review is expected to open its official one-month filing period for Oak Park Township assessment appeals in mid-September. But the “pre-filing” process, which allows taxpayers to file appeals before the beginning of the official filing period, is already open. It opened in late August.

Issue 1 Explanation: Late Tax Bills. Under state law, second installment tax bills in Cook County are supposed to be due on Aug. 1. This year, however, the due date for second installment tax bills will be about four months late because of delays in the processing of assessment appeals

There are two agencies that hear assessment appeals in Cook County: the Cook County Assessor’s Office and the Cook County Board of Review. The Board of Review’s function is to review and, where appropriate, revise the assessments of the Cook County Assessor But the board cannot start accepting appeals until after the county assessor finishes processing its appeals.

The start date for accepting appeals is important because there is usually a 12-month gap between the time the Board of Review begins accepting appeals and the time second installment bills are due. Thus if the Board of Review begins accepting appeals around the beginning of August, second installment tax bills will typically be due around August 1 of the following year. This is exactly what happened from 2012 through 2019. 2021 Appeals. In 2021, computer compatibility

2022 Appeals. In 2022, the Board of Review was able to open for appeals on Nov. 21, 2022, a few weeks earlier than the 2021 start date. This earlier start date is part of the reason that the expected due date for second installment bills, Dec. 1, 2023, is about a month earlier than last year’s due date 2023 Appeals. The processing of appeals has been significantly faster in 2023. The computer compatibility problems between the two appeal agencies have now been resolved and as a result, the Board of Review will be able to start accepting appeals in September of 2023. With a September start, one can estimate that the due date for the second installment of 2023 tax bills will likely be some time in September of 2024.

Issue 2 Explanation: Oak Park Appeal Period. The Cook County Assessor reassesses all properties once every three years. Oak Park properties were reassessed earlier in 2023 and the impact of the reassessment and any 2023 assessment appeals will appear on second installment tax bills mailed in the fall of 2024. The county assessor’s 2023 appeal period has closed for Oak Park, but taxpayers can file appeals with the Board of Review now. The closing date for Oak Park appeals has not yet been announced, but the appeal period is expected to be open until early- to mid-October Taxpayers seeking help with their appeals should feel free to call the Oak Park Township Assessor’s Office to set up an appointment during the appeal period.

Ali ElSaffar is the Oak Park Township Assessor.

Stand up for Faith Julian

To the Oak Park Village Board and all Oak Parkers who believe an injustice has occurred in your village:

“Injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.” Rev. Martin Luther King Jr

“For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed.” Martin Luther King Jr

“We have been too quiet for too long.” John Lewis

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” John F. Kennedy

“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” John Lewis

“But we must accept on central truth and responsibility as participants in a democracy: Freedom is not a state; it is an act.” John Lewis

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney

Thank you, Mr. Nathan Green [What can Oak Park do to help Faith Julian? Viewpoints, Aug. 2] for your courage to stand up for Percy Julian and his family and the admirable Ms. Faith Julian (his daughter), who has solely been fighting for the right side of Justice.

Dorothy

Wright, Oak Park

Sharing our refuge and our welcome

Recently, my son was in town. We sat on the back porch enjoying each other’s company when suddenly we found ourselves being inter rupted by the sweet chir ping of a bird. The sound was so lovely that we both stopped to listen. Soon after when we resumed our conversation the bird starting her chir ping again, as if to tell us to stop talking, and listen to her. We laughed at this, all the while aware, yet again, of how much I love my home here in River Forest. The surrounding natural beauty wraps me in a cocoon of peace, rebuf fing the stark contrast of the chaos existing in the outside world.

HAUSMAN

Just today the New York Times’ front page had these bylines, and in truth, these could appear almost any day. I paraphrase: 500,000 people dead in Russian invasion of Ukraine; Trump and 18 of his advisors were indicted for upward of 91 possible criminal acts; 3 folks shot in Jacksonville store is considered a hate crime; Hundreds of tiny octopuses mysteriously discovered with their legs wrapped around each other at ocean’s bottom; Historians in Egypt suing the government for the destruction of architectural master pieces being re placed by concrete housing structures.

he disturbing and often horrible occurd make me even that much teful for the refuge of my home and ring me from the storm of mean-spiritedness and hateful acts.

The most heart-wrenching article I read lately relates to an issue that, with great and open-mindedness, is solvable What is lacking for the solution, thus far, is merely the will to do so. Our nation has the capability of allowing immigrants — who are mostly seeking asylum here — to secure work and live in safety and peace. Sadly, over the Trump years, the predominant mindset was to view migrants in ne gative ways, who will add nothing but problems to our country. Yes, our immigration system needs lots of improvement, and if we are to refo rm it, we need to begin with the generosity of spirit of our forefathers. The Statue of Liberty, with its “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses year ning to breathe free” engraving, symbolizes welcoming the stranger.

L et us hope that we will find it in our hearts to of fer the strangers to our land the same peace and security so many of us feel — the way I feel right here in Rive r Fo rest.

e Lake & Lathrop extension

The project at Lake & Lathrop has had a series of “fit and starts” ever since its inception, leading River Forest villagers to believe the development is in the doldrums. The other night, at the Aug. 28 village board meeting, the developer petitioned the River Forest Village Board of Trustees to grant another extension to its permit.

Several villagers made personal comments about the project and all recommended rejecting renewal of the permit, mainly on the basis that “enough is enough.” Several of those villagers presented some very convincing arguments to support their position.

It appeared that the village did not have a “save the day” developer in the wings to come in with full financial resources to take over the project and complete it to their satisfaction. If it did, I am sure the village would have jumped on that without hesitation.

Without another outside developer on hand, the village was stuck with dealing with the current one: Sedgwick Properties. The re presentatives of Sedgwick Properties were on hand to make a presentation acknowledging their delays and financial difficulties, but reassuring the village they were making strong effor ts to correct these issues, and assuring them that

financing was at hand.

The village made a painful decision to grant Sedgwick Properties an extension of their permit, with some very strong provisions, demanding they show proof of financing and rectify all of their past delinquencies by Sept. 15; otherwise the village would revoke their permit. The village’s demands also included project completion by Aug. 24, 2024 and mandating progress presentations at village board meetings throughout the year.

By extending this permit, the village demonstrated to the financing authorities its suppor t for the project — as long as financing is available, free and clear. The village also outlined strict terms to the developer to fulfill his obligation once and for all. The village gave breathing room to the developer, who will “sink or swim” with the financial authorities.

Let’s hope it does not sink; otherwise it will be a “long and drawn out process,” much the same as if the village rejected the permit.

I support the village in its ef for ts to extend the permit to this developer for it to complete the job to everyone’s satisfaction.

Joseph O’Connor, River Forest

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Senior Repor ter Stacey Sheridan

Sta Reporters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Harriet Hausman, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe, Tram Huynh

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, re you to action

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for ling.

Please understand our veri cation process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that veri cation, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 250-word limit

■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connection to the topic

■ Signature details as at left

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300

EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00.

A one-year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2023 Growing Community Media, NFP.

Will OPRF have this courageous conversation?

This is in response to “A school’s purpose” [Viewpoints, Aug. 23]

Dear OPRF High School:

Courageous conversations are uncomfortable to have Will you have this one? A 26-year veteran OPRF AP Art History teacher just retired in June. Last week that same teacher felt the need to inform our community that the culture and climate inside the building is stifling for many. He used the word “fear” to describe the feeling of openly sharing one’s thoughts. This teacher could have quietly walked away and enjoyed his retirement and the relationships he built pursuing his life’s work. Instead, he felt compelled to speak up for the benefit of our students, surely risking some friendships. He describes the current OPRF culture this way:

“Teachers, students, and staff are expected to take sides about what to do. Although many choose to openly state their thoughts, many others choose not to for fear of being labeled or ostracized. What happens? Voices go silent, a troubling irony considering that, of all our public institutions, schools should be a go-to location in which the open exchange of ideas is both guaranteed and freely practiced.”

Those who follow OPRF know that the board and administration are very much aligned. Yet we now know that at least one teacher has a different viewpoint. Are there more who feel there is an unhealthy culture emerging, a culture that unfortunately does not value open and independent thought? Where can teachers go to express their concerns? Not to the board. Not to the administration. Are teachers allowed to speak to reporters?

One must wonder why a 26-year veteran teacher did not feel comfortable sharing this prior to retirement. Was it fear of being “labeled or ostracized”? Or was he concer ned about diminished career opportunities? Do current practices and policies, implicitly or explicitly, restrict teachers from speaking up? This teacher would not have written such a thoughtful article, inclusive of ideas on how to help, if he did not care about our student and community. We should all thank him. A few questions and ideas for our high school board and the community to consider:

■ Will OPRF support a PTO where Parents and Teachers partner together, uninhibited by administrative or board member influence?

■ Will the OPRF Board publicly discuss this teacher’s opinion piece regarding the emerging culture of “fear of being labeled or ostracized”?

■ Will OPRF trust current teachers enough to allow them to even talk with local re porters?

■ Will the board encourage the Culture Climate and Behavior Committee to eng age with current or for mer teachers to learn more?

Teachers are supposed to be on this committee by statute.

OPRF High School is a wonderfully unique and special school. However, it will only remain so if thoughts and ideas can freely be expressed, challenged, and discussed, even when unpopular

So, OPRF, will you have this courageous conversation?

I am not holding my breath.

Go Huskies

Ross Lissuzzo is an Oak Park native and current River Forest resident.

Can we use empty churches for migrants?

A recent article in Wednesday Journal focused on two churches for sale in Oak Park. Assuming these churches are empty, could they be re purposed as temporary overnight shelters for migrants? These people, who have walked hundreds of miles to get

BLESOFF

from page 26

5. Promotes Positive Aging: Ageism Awareness Day can contribute to changing societal attitudes towards aging. This can help people live longer and encourage older people to continue activities that promote physical and mental health, rather than feeling othered or marginalized due to our ag e.

6. Strengthens Communities: Addressing ageism helps make our town more livable by reco gnizing the strengths and contributions of older members and valuing the potential and innovation

here, are still sleeping on the floors of police stations. We are a generous and wealthy community. Can’t we do more to help them?

Erin Daughton Oak Park

brought by younger people. This is one of the keys to Aging-In-Communities.

7. Encourages Conversations: Ageism Awareness Day prompts conversations about the biases and prejudices that exist based on ag e. Too often, most people just don’ t want to talk about growing older because most of us believe that old is bad and young is good. This is an important conversation that can lead to greater awareness, empathy, and ultimately, a more respectful and inclusive town.

On Ageism Awareness Day, Oct. 7, let’s take a moment to consider how we treat and judge other people and how we want to be treated and judged as we age. Let’s try to promote a town that values and respects individuals of all ages.

from page 26

Oak Park River Forest History Museum exhibit

On Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., the Oak Park River Forest History Museum (129 Lake St., Oak Park) will host a grand opening for its exhibit “Ever-Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150.”

For the next two years, the exhibit will feature memorabilia, yearbooks, school spirit wear from throughout the decades, photos, dance bids, scrapbooks, and a wide range of other artifacts that will help tell the rich story of OPRF, which enrolled its first students in 1873 in a classroom at Lake and Forest and graduated its first three alumni in 1877. The exhibit was developed with the assistance of a grant from the Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association and in partnership with the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee, comprising faculty, staff, residents, students, and alumni

The grand opening doubles as the first of monthly “A Night at the Museum” events to be held the first Wednesday night through May 2024; the series name is inspired by 1988 OPRF graduate and comedian Tom Lennon, who co-wrote the popular A Night at the Museum movies. The Nov. 1 Night at the Museum will focus on stories of the Science Fiction Club.

In addition, the museum’s annual Tale of the Tombstones walking tour of Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park will use the sesquicentennial as its theme this

year. The tour, held on Sunday, Oct. 15, at noon, will include the story of Walter Gale, one of the first three OPRF graduates; May Estelle Cook, a Tradition of Excellence inductee and graduate from the 1880s who taught at Austin High School for decades; and Dorothy Charlton Kerr, an OPRF basketball player from around 1904 who later was the first woman elected to the Oak Park Village Board in the 1930s.

Homecoming Weekend alumni events

All OPRF alumni are invited to join a walk-about on the stadium field before the Homecoming football game versus Downers Grove North on Friday, Sept. 22. Alums will gather at Lake Street and East Avenue at 6:15 p.m. and are invited to wear Huskie gear — especially vintage items — and bring pompons, pennants, etc., to show their school spirit. RSVPing will help organizers know how many folks to expect and from which classes.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., alumni can take a tour of the building and see the $40 million of renovations completed in the past several years, the most significant changes to the building since the late 1960s. Meet in the North Cafeteria.

Additional events

Other planned events include:

April 27: Alumni and Student Musical Revue

May 19: Huskie Pride Community Picnic and Celebration

Karin Sulli van is the OPRF High School communications director.

Cli ord Hunt, 90

Last years were the best g. 9, ved ife right up to the end. He said his g. 16, 1932, in DeKalb, he aduated in 1949 from DeKalb Twp. High School and oral in a at Benning durWar. On Sept. 3, 1955, he ane ould lumber onstructing verbuilding, ved ouncilman. Later eal estate and in-

he was most proud of This exving, and elight in teaching these skills to others and helping them

here he was he de here he did

Sarah for their work with a recent reception and designated his workspace “Cliff ’s Work shop,” to be used as a community workshop.

In the choir, he sang bass and was music librarian, cataloging 80 years of music the church owned. He did numerous buildings & grounds projects, including rewiring all the massive church lights, refinishing 66 cathedral chairs, fixing the pews, gardening, and building 35 Adirondack chairs sold to benefit the church.

At age 80, he wrote Too Tough for Knick ers: Growing Up Poor in the 1930s, an account of his life on a small farm near DeKalb when illness or a car breakdown was a family crisis and how people lived their lives out as best they could. The book started out as a family history project and grew to become social commentary.

He loved the Oak Park Public Library and read 2-3 books a week. He was also a member of Heritage Chorale, an Oak Park choral group.

OBITUARIES

He became interested in genealogy and traced all his family lines back to America’s earliest days. One of his ancestors was Thomas Hunt, whose farm became Hunts Point, Bronx, New York City. He was a member of the Fort Dearborn-Chicago Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.

In addition to his wife Sarah, survivors include his brother and sister, Horace Hunt and Susan Gordon; his children, Joel (Ann), Don (Janna) Hunt, Marian “Marty” (Michael) Locke, and John; his grandchildren, Ryan Hunt, Katherine (Reece) Bend, Elizabeth Locke, and Allison Locke (Francis Cruz); and two great-grandchildren Rowan and Raelyn Bend.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park with burial of ashes in the church memorial garden. The service will be on Zoom: https://us02web zoom. us/j/6360891531.

Memorials may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church Organ Restoration Fund.

George Stojiljkovic, 73

Marshall Field electrician, kind soul

George Stojiljkovic, 73, died eacefully on Aug. 15, 2023. Born on Aug. 12, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Chicago. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marines and spent two ears serving his y, ned to Chicago.

In the mid-1970s, he met his soon-to-be wife, Jean. After a 10-day courtship, he proposed, and she accepted with the stipulation that they would embark on a trip around the world. They were married two months later and shortly after began their journey, traveling in a van across Europe and Asia. A year later, the couple returned home to start a family and raised their two daughters, Alexandra and Daphne, in Oak Park.

He and Jean opened a restaurant named “Elbows Off the Table” but as owners and head chef, it became too taxing, and they closed the doors within a year. He held a variety of jobs over the years but spent most of his life working as an electrician at Marshall Field’s/Macy’s. The job he loved most was being a father and was so excited to become a grandfather at age 70 and for a second time at 71.

He was into energy healing and loved his rocks and crystals, his village of plants, family get-togethers, fishing, lounging in the sun, listening to music, watching British crime and kung-fu movies, and enjoying a good meal (especially on the river at Smith & Wollensky).

He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed. He loved unconditionally, accepted everyone, had a generous spirit, and the kindest soul.

George is survived by his daughters Alexandra and Daphne (Mike), and granddaughters Elle and Payden.

There will be a small and intimate “celebration of life” for George on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Victor Guarino, 91 Engineer, naturalist and forest preser ve steward

Victor J. Guarino, 91, died on g. 30, 2023 in his Park home surrounded by his He grew up in the Grand Crossing neighborhood Chicago, graduted from Hirsch High School, and earned both his BS ees in mechanical engineering ompleted the Basic Program Adults at the Unimy working in Aberdeen Proving Ground, he worked as a project manager and consultant for Chicago-area companies and developed several industrial patents

A member and later chairman of Oak Park’s Environmental & Energy Advisory Commission from 1979 to 1987, he earned a Naturalist Certificate from Morton Arboretum and, for more than 30 years, volunteered with his wife Jean for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County as stewards for Thatcher Woods in River Forest.

Upon their retirement in 2022, the Forest Preserve Board of Cook County recognized their service “for having mentored and inspired countless volunteers, and under their leadership the Thatcher Woods area has recovered and thrived through sustainable volunteer effort and public education.”

Victor is survived by Jean (nee Pfeifer) his wife of 60 years, and their five children, Theresa Lipo (Frank), Victor (Nancy), Jean,

Mark, and Elizabeth Condon (Sean), as well as 10 grandchildren, Ellen, Grace and Sarah Lipo, Molly and Natalie Guarino, Aidan and Anthony Clark and Sam, Andrew and Elise Condon. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Huttel (Larry).

He will lie in state at St. Giles Church, 1045 Colombian, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 2 with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:30, followed by interment at Mt. Car mel Cemetery

Shirley Mallot, 82 Alcuin Montessori teacher/direc tor

Shirley Rose Mallot, 82, longtime educator, adventurer and faithful Catholic, died on Aug. 6, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico from untreatable lung cancer. Bor n in 1941 in Mountain Grove, Missouri, she was the daughter of Viola Christina Amor, and Harry Francis Mallot. A graduate of Sacred Heart College in Wichita, Kansas with a bachelor of arts degree, she later trained in Washington D.C. to graduate from the Association Montessori Inter nationale

Throughout her adult life, she focused her energies on the service of others. From 1969 to 1988, she was an integral part of Alcuin Montessori School in Oak Park. She began as a teacher at the primary level and rose to director of the school, touching the lives of many children and parents, having long lasting influence on them. She spent “a remarkable year exploring God’s creation” as she traveled coast-to-coast visiting areas that attracted her

Returning to Wichita, she worked with Harry Hynes Hospice as coordinator of volunteers. With a wonderful team, she tirelessly and generously supported families and their loved ones. Upon moving to Cedar Crest, New Mexico, and then to Albuquerque, she served as director of ministries at Holy Child Parish and initiated several new ministries.

Shirley was pre-deceased by her father, Harry; her mother, Viola; and her brothers, Harry Jr, and Tom. She is survived by her brother, Dick (Barbara); her brother, Jer ry (Sarah); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the favorite aunt of everyone

Burial of the cremains will be in Wichita, Kansas at a later date.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S

Experience or not.

HELPER

Call for more information.

708-738-3848

OAK PARK POLICE DEPARTMENTACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Application Deadline is Friday, September 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

How to Apply:

• Complete your application at https:// iosolutions.com by the application deadline.

• Submit all supporting documentation by the application deadline.

Police Officer Minimum Requirements:

• At least 21 years of age and have not passed their 35th birthday by closing date for application.

• U.S. Citizen who speaks and understands English.

• Possess at least 60 hours of college credit at a fully accredited college or university, and also possess a minimum grade average of “C” by application deadline.

• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Possess a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at the time of hire

Written Exam Information:

A mandatory written exam will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Testing will take place at Oak Park Village Hall (room# 101) located at 123 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302. Sign-in will held from 8:30a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Additional details will be provided to eligible candidates approximately one week prior to the exam.

About the Village of Oak Park and Police Department:

• Starting Salary: $78,650.74 after 4 years of service $110,953.23

Please contact IOS Recruitment at (800)-343-HIRE or recruitment@

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Research Assistant in the Village Manager’s Office. This position will perform a variety of duties including assisting in coordinating aspects of equity and inclusion projects/initiatives, some data collection, data entry and analysis, synthesizing information, report writing, and presentation of results to stakeholders. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oak-park.us/ your-government/human-resources-departments. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

DIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR SENIOR

ENVIRONMENTAL

RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classification(s):

Diversity Administrator (Original)

Senior Environmental Research Technician (Original)

Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100.

An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D

GARAGE/YARD SALES

HUGE ANNUAL DOWN SIZING SALE SEPT 8,9,10

10AM-4PM

547 MARENGO AVE FOREST PARK

Many quality items at reasonable prices. Much kitchen misc.: Gadgets & small appliances; much fine crystal; set of silver flatware; several rugs & runners; misc. garden, including pots; several misc. pieces of furniture, including vintage floor & table lamps; too much to list. Must see to appreciate. No early birds.

CARS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars:

Domestic / Import Cars:

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Collector James • 630-201-8122

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

GARAGE/YARD SALES

WANTED TO BUY

Collector James 630-201-8122

7 FAMILY YARD SALE 800 BLOCK OF WOODBINE AVE

SAT, SEPT 9, 9:00 AM TO NOON

Huge 7 family yard sale on the 800 block of Woodbine Avenue. Find it all here. Deals, deals, deals! Rain date Sunday, September 10.

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

ITEMS FOR SALE

$$

BROOKFIELD SALE

3825 ARDEN AVE

SEPT. 7 & 8

9-3 PM

Furniture, 2 couches, love seat, vacuum cleaner, appliances, riding lawn mower, household items, jeans, and clothing.

EAST AVE SALE 1201 N. EAST AVE, OAK PARK SEPT 8 & 9 9AM – 2PM

One block south of north avenue. Household items, teen girls & boys clothes, Adult men & women’s clothes, legos, kitchen supplies, wall art, outdoor furniture, brand new curtains and curtain rods, bedding, leather ottoman, books, and much more.

FOR SALE RECLINER: Top of the line remote operated recliner. Many positions including “stand up assist” setting. Used only 4 months. Perfect for someone with limited mobility. Call and leave message if interested. 708-366-5983

cat calls

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

RETAIL STRIP MALL: CORNER/END SPACE FOR RENT: On Harlem Ave , Forest Park, IL

GREAT CONDITION, BUSY LOCATION, GREAT PRICE!

SIZE: 1500 to 1600 Sq Ft. SPACE.

CAN BE USED AS: A RETAIL STORE, CLEANERS, OFFICE SPACE, OR RESTAURANT (ANY TYPE, IF APPROVED BY CITY & LANDLORD). INFO: CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL, MR. B. LEAVE A MESSAGE! THANKS! (708)828-6491

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to

“An Act in relation to the use of an

Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010922 on August 21, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of MAIA HOMES with the business located at: 7617 HAVARD STREET, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: COLLEEN MORONEY 7617 HARVARD STREET FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 23, 30, September 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of MEGAN ANN KOTARSKI 20235003588

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: MEGAN ANN KOTARSKI to the new name of: MEGAN ANN MCGUIRE

The court date will be held: On 10/12/23 at 9:00 AM at 10220 S 76th Ave, Bridgeview, Cook County in Courtroom # 203

Published in Wednesday Journal August 23, 30, September 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010928 on August 23, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of BIG DOG CONSULTING with the business located at: 812 S. GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CARLOS GUERRERO 812 S. GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal August 30, September 6, 13

PUBLIC NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF LAKE

ESTATE OF JOSEPH LAPLACA, Plaintiff File No. 23-10626-CH

Hon. David Glancy vs.Circuit Judge

THE ESTATE OF WILLIE HAYWARD, AND/OR ELIZABETH HAYWARD, AND OR THE ESTATE OF ELIZABET HAYWARD its unknown heirs, devisees, and assignees, and any unknown claimants not of record, Defendants

CARLOS ALVARADO LAW PC

CARLOS ALVARADO-JORQUERA

(P68004)

Attorney for Plaintiffs

202 S. Harrison Street

Ludington, MI 49431 (231) 425-4444

An action to quiet title to property located in Lake County, Michigan, in

which the Defendants have a potential interest, has been commenced by Plaintiffs ESTATE OF JOSEPH LAPLACA, against Defendants THE ESTATE OF WILLIE HAYWARD, AND/OR ELIZABETH HAYWARD, AND OR THE ESTATE OF ELIZABET HAYWARD, its unknown heirs, devisees, and assignees, and any unknown claimants not of record, in the Lake County Circuit Court for the State of Michigan, File No. 23-10626CH, and Defendants must answer or take other action permitted by law within 28 days after the last date of publication. If Defendants do not answer or take other action within the time allowed, judgment may be entered against them for the relief demanded in the complaint.

Published in Forest Park Review August 30, September 6, 13

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE of PUBLIC HEARING (PEID)

Notice is hereby given to all residents and property owners in the Village of Riverside, Illinois and all users of the water system that a Public Hearing will be held in Room 4 of Riverside Township Hall on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. The Village plans to construct a lead service line and watermain replacement project. This Public Notice is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the Village’s proposed construction projects. A project summary and Preliminary Environmental Impacts Determination (PEID) document provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is available for review at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546. The document contains information including the project costs, location, user rate impacts and potential environment impacts.

This Notice is to provide access to the documents and to satisfy Section 662.330 of the Illinois Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Program from the Illinois EPA. These documents will be on file at the Village after the Public Hearing to allow for public comment. Written comments can be submitted up to 10-days following the public hearing to the Village or directly to Bryan Smith at the Illinois EPA, Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section, 1021 North Grand Avenue East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276.

Ethan Sowl, Village Clerk Riverside 27 Riverside Road Riverside, IL 60546

Published in RB Landmark September 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application to amend the Official Zoning Map of the Village. The amendment sought will rezone a property from the R1-A District to the B2-RC (Retail Core) Subdistrict.

Application No.: PZ 23-0007

Petitioner: Lion Development II LLC Property

Burlington St, Riverside, Illinois

PIN: 15-36-109-079-0000

Rezoning:

The zoning map amendment sought would amend the Official Zoning Map of the Village to rezone Parcel 15-36109-079-0000 from the R1-A District to the B2-RC Subdistrict.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed amendment. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 6th day of September, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

mum width of the parking spaces and aisles, required landscaping, and such other and additional relief that may be required for the proposed planned unit development that is presented in the above application.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed planned unit development. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 6th day of September, 2023.

Jennifer Henaghan, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission

An individual or organization seeking to register as an Interested Party with respect to the above-listed Redevelopment Project Area must complete a registration form, available at the Office of the Village Clerk located at the Forest Park Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Completed forms may be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the Village Clerk.

Upon registration, Interested Parties will be entitled to receive all notices and documents required to be delivered under the Act and the Village’s Registration Rules with respect to the Redevelopment Project Area. The Clerk will provide written notice to the registrant confirming such registration. If the Clerk determines that a registrant’s registration form is incomplete or does not comply with the Registration rules adopted by the Village, the Clerk will give written notice to the registrant specifying the defects. The registrant will be entitled to correct any defects and resubmit a new Registration Form. An Interested Party’s registration will remain effective for a period of three years. Rules for the renewal or amendment of an Interested Party’s registration are included with the Registration Form that may be obtained as described herein.

Interested Parties will be sent the notices and other information to which they are entitled under the Act and the Village’s Registration Rules with respect to the applicable Redevelopment Project Area.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2023 Tree Pit-Grate Porous Pavement Installation Bid Number: 23-133

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 3585700 during the hours above.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 6, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2024 Village Wide Seasonal Container Display and Maintenance Bid Number: 23-128

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 3585700 during the hours above.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 6, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

Jennifer

Henaghan, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in R.B Landmark September 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application from Lion Development II LLC for a Special Use Permit for a planned unit development (Burlington Street Apartments), including any applicable preliminary plan, in the B2-RC Subdistrict on the four properties located at 28 and 30 E Burlington St.

Application No.: PZ 23-0008

Petitioner: Lion Development II LCC

Properties Commonly Known As: 28 and 30 E Burlington St, Riverside, Illinois

PINs: 15-36-109-076-0000; 15-36109-079-0000; 15-36-109-028-0000; and 15-36-109-029-0000

Proposed Special Use: The Petitioner has filed an application for a planned unit development for a mixed-use building (Burlington Street Apartments) with 22 apartments, 2 of which would be live/work units, in the B2-RC Subdistrict. The requested relief from the standards in the Village’s Zoning Ordinance include the maximum building height, minimum lot area per multi-family dwelling, minimum dwelling unit sizes, mini-

Published in RB Landmark September 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK NOTICE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA

INTERESTED PARTIES

REGISTRY

Pursuant to section 5/11-74.4-4.2 of the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act (65 ILCS 5/11-74.44.1 et seq.) (the “Act”), the Village of Forest Park (the “Village”) is required to establish an Interested Parties Registry (“Registry”) for each Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) Redevelopment Project Area created pursuant to the Act, whether existing as of the date of this notice or hereinafter established. The Village has adopted an Ordinance authorizing the establishment of such registries by the Village Clerk (“Clerk”) and adopting Registration Rules for such registries. The purpose of this notice is to inform Interested Parties of the Registries and Registration Rules and to invite Interested Parties to participate in the Registry of a Redevelopment Project Area(s) in Forest Park.

Any individual or organization interested in obtaining information pertaining to activities within a particular Redevelopment Project Area(s) is entitled to register in the appropriate Registry. Organizations include, but are not limited to, the following: businesses, business organizations, civic groups, not-for-profit corporations and community organizations.

An Interested Parties Registry has been or shall be created for the following proposed TIF Redevelopment Project Area:

Circle Harlem Redevelopment Project Area

Registration forms can be picked up at the Office of the Village Clerk, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Registration forms will not be mailed, emailed or faxed. For more information, please call the Office the Village Clerk at (708) 366-2323

Dated: September 6, 2023

Vanessa Moritz Village Clerk Village of Forest Park

Published in Forest Park Review September 6, 2023

SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC; Plaintiff, vs. IRIS ERAZO; WESLEY TERRACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 7116

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, September 25, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-419-028-1022.

Commonly known as 415 WESLEY AVE. UNIT 27, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)

(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium

Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 1396182853 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3227325

PublicNoticeIllinois.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF CSMC 2017RPL3 TRUST

Plaintiff,

-v.-

JESSICA A. VERGARA

Defendants 2022 CH 05290

1000 NEWCASTLE AVENUE WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 27, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1000 NEWCASTLE AVENUE, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-16-318-0590000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $220,867.68.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact MANLEY

DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, ONE EAST WACKER, SUITE 1250, Chicago, IL, 60601 (312) 651-6700. Please refer to file number 22-004626.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORA-

TION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC

ONE EAST WACKER, SUITE 1250 Chicago IL, 60601

312-651-6700

E-Mail: AMPS@manleydeas.com

Attorney File No. 22-004626

Attorney Code. 48928

Case Number: 2022 CH 05290

TJSC#: 43-3102

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 05290

I3227487

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.JULIE FOX, SPECIAL PRERESENTATIVE OF BEVERLY M HARDY, DECEASED, PATRICIA DAVIS, BRIAN HARDY A/K/A BRIAN J HARDY A/K/A BRIAN JAMES HARDY, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF BEVERLY M HARDY, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

22 CH 04750

1942 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE BROADVIEW, IL 60155

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the

above cause on July 26, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 28, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1942 SOUTH 15TH AVENUE, BROADVIEW, IL

60155

Property Index No. 15-15-409-0490000

The real estate is improved with a single family home.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602

312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 21-07538IL_703548 Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 22 CH 04750

TJSC#: 43-3240

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 22 CH 04750

I3227644

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC.;

Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF EMIL J. KOLAKOWSKI SR.; EMELYN KOLAKOWSKI; AMIR MOHABBAT AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF EMIL J. KOLAKOWSKI, SR.; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS;

Defendants,

23 CH 2922

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, September 25, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

P.I.N. 15-10-405-002-0000.

Commonly known as 205 South 12th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6710-

191713 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3227548

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF AND WITH RESPECT TO AJAX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST

2021-E, MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES, SERIES 2021-E Plaintiff, -v.-

JOSEPH R. KLINGER A/K/A

JOSEPH KLINGER, VICTORIA

KLINGER Defendants

2023 CH 01770

356 E. LYNDALE AVE

NORTHLAKE, IL 60164

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 12, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 3, 2023, at The

Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 356 E. LYNDALE AVE, NORTHLAKE, IL 60164

Property Index No. 12-32-213-0340000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $162,823.04.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 23 0251.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE

3650

Chicago IL, 60602

312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblum-

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

berg.com

Attorney File No. 23 0251

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2023 CH 01770

TJSC#: 43-2537

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2023 CH 01770 I3227730

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CMALT REMIC 2007-A5-REMIC PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-A5; Plaintiff, vs. GEORGE CALLOWAY; MICHELLE CALLOWAY; CITIBANK, NA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 1849

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-07-301-047-0000.

Commonly known as 5904 Burr Oak Avenue, Berkeley, IL 60163. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6710191365 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3227778

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; Plaintiff, vs. KYRSTAL YORE, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE YORE FAMILY LIVING TRUST, U/A DATED AUGUST 27, 2020; UNKNOWN BENEFICIARIES OF THE BEATRICE C. RANDLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2014; UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES OF THE BEATRICE C. RANDLE TRUST DATED MARCH 6, 2014; KRYSTAL YORE AKA KRYSTAL YORE-EVANS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS;

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Defendants, 22 CH 9873

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, October 2, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-20-402-023-0000.

Commonly known as 1606 Downing Avenue, Westchester, IL 60154.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6766185195 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3227764

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; Plaintiff, vs. SPARKLE GIBSON AKA SPARKLE N. GIBSON; ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 2628

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, October 2, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-22-402-036-0000. Commonly known as 2616 South 11th Avenue, Broadview, Illinois 60155. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6766189501 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3227757

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION

Plaintiff, -v.JACQUELINE DESHANA GILES, DEBRINA TARINA RANSON, RICKY R GILES, HELEN GILES, OSCAR GILES, NAPOLEON GILES, JR, CHERYL GILES, VICTOR GILES, RODNEY GILES, PATRICIA GILES, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF NAPOLEAN GILES, DECEASED, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF NAPOLEON GILES, DECEASED, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2022 CH 04195

1916 S 17TH AVE

MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 28, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 29, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1916 S 17TH

AVE , MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-15-315-0230000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,546.93.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS

AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact CHAD

LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810, CHICAGO, IL, 60601 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 22-022095.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CHAD LEWIS

ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810 CHICAGO IL, 60601

561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 22-022095

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439

Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2022 CH 04195

TJSC#: 43-2768

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 04195

I3227752

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF ANTLER MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-RTL1

Plaintiff, -v.-

52ND AVE LLC, TERESA CHAMBERS, CROWD LENDING FUND ONE, LLC

Defendants 23 CH 01135 1143 CLINTON AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 3, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

September 25, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1143 CLINTON

AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-18-319-0350000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence/condo.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to

verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicia Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No.

(312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-

SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 22-13500IL

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 23 CH 01135

TJSC#: 43-3290

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 23 CH 01135 I3227713

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the SCIG Series III Trust; Plaintiff, vs.

GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32

NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING

TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996;

Defendants, 11 CH 33740

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001.

Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection

For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 LUCERNE DRIVE, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130. 440-572-1511. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3227769

SHRED IT

AND FORGET IT!

Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon

(NOTE: If the trucks fill-up sooner—we finish sooner!)

Forest Park Bank, the locally owned and managed community bank, is pleased to continue the tradition of sponsoring the Annual FREE Sensitive Document Shredding Event in the Municipal Parking Lot located south of the Drive-Up Facility. The Bank has, again, engaged a professional shredding service to shred your documents with an industrial shredder.

Forest Park Bank and Forest Park Police Department personnel will be on site to discuss identity security issues, including ways to protect your identity and what to do if you become a victim of identity theft or financial scams.

You may bring up to two 12” X 12” X 18” boxes of documents to be shred at no charge. Three-ring notebooks and binders with large metal rings cannot be shredded. Staples are allowed. If you have questions about this event, please contact the bank at 708.222.2800 .